New playground equipment at Breckenridge’s City Park features fun, as well as safety, elements
City officials gather for ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 11
A group of kids stand in front of the new playground equipment as the ribbon is cut on Monday afternoon, officially opening the recently refurbished area of the Breckenridge City Park. Cutting the ribbon are, from left, City Commissioner Vince Moore and his sons, Max and Marvin, along with Cara Sims and her grandfather, Mayor Bob Sims. Looking on are City Commissioners Rob Durham and Blake Hamilton. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
For the first time in 32 years, the kids in Breckenridge are playing on new playground equipment at the Breckenridge City Park, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, March 11.
Just prior to the ceremony, 5-year-old Perrie Roberson and her dad, Derek Roberson, were the first play on the new playground. In February, they were the last to play on the old playground.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, kids rush to play on the playground equipment in the Breckenridge City Park. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
The Robersons have a historical connection to the playground: 32 years ago, Derek Roberson, who was 4 at the time, was the first child to play on the previous playground when it was new.
Another family connection to the park’s playground: Helping to cut the ribbon at the ceremony were Cara Sims, granddaughter of Breckenridge Mayor Bob Sims, and Marvin and Max Moore. Marvin and Max’s dad, Vince Moore is a Breckenridge City Commissioners. When the previous playground was installed, their grandfather, Lee Olson was on the City Commission.
The new playground equipment, located on the north side of the park near the pavilion, is part of a city-wide improvement plan by City of Breckenridge officials. From the canopy at the top to the Bondflex rubber ground surface, the setup is designed to protect playing children from the heat, as well as typical playground tumbles.
With a nature theme, the playground’s canopy is green and the support poles are decorated like tall trees. It features platforms on several different levels, as well as a variety of stairs, ladders and other climbing devices that allow for kids of different ages, heights and abilities to get to the top. There are four slides, likewise of differing heights and configurations, to appeal to various children. The playground also features several climbing elements, including three different rock-climbing opportunities.
Built in on both the ground-level and the upper platforms are several educational play panels, including one with a steering wheel, one that plays nature sounds, and one that is set up like a mini store check-out stand.
Also in the main playground area under the canopy is a “timber stack,” featuring criss-crossing logs that the kids can climb on, walk on and practice balancing on.
Across the park, the City has replaced the old swing set with a new one that includes two baby seats and the same rubber surface as the main playground area.
Future plans for the park include a splash pad at the pool, an area fenced off as a dog park and other improvements.
The new playground at the Breckenridge City Park features four slides, several climbing sections, a cover and a bouncy, rubber surface. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
The new playground area also includes a “timber stack” that features criss-crossed logs that the children can play on. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
City of Breckenridge Public Services Director Stacy Harrison, second from right, and the public services crew, from left, Randy Heard, Tommy “Gordy” Gordon, and Wesley Duggan, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new playground. They take care of the local parks and cemetery. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Derek Roberson watches as his 5-year-old daughter, Perrie, slides down the slide on the new playground at the Breckenridge City Park. Derek was the first kid to play on the previous playground when it was installed 32 years ago. Perrie was the last kid to play on the previous playground equipment and the first to play on the new equipment that was opened to the public on Monday, March 11. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
