Center Park opens sensory-friendly playground for toddlers

CENTERVILLE – Center Park has expanded just in time for summer fun, making it both a toddler and sensory-friendly place to take the kids.

A new playground officially opened on Monday, June 9, and has already become a popular attraction. There is also inclusive equipment for children with special needs. 

Mayoral Candidate J. Micheal Evans said this expansion has been in the works for some time. Center Park officially opened approximately five years ago, and the city council noticed that older kids would take over the main playground, limiting opportunities for smaller children to play.

The city council met with staff and decided to include a smaller playground for the younger children. Evans said the city received a grant of approximately $130,000 and matched it with city funds.

Evans shared the equipment arrived in May; the city’s goal was to have it open by June 20, a week before the city’s Independence Day Celebration. 

Evans visited the park when it opened and noticed a positive reaction from the community. He noticed a lot of children playing in both the playgrounds and the splash pad. When he visits, he sees the kids enjoying the splash pad and parents enjoying the park as well, since there is a trail where they can walk while their kids have fun.

Evans said Centerville has always strived to be inclusive. He said they want the park to be a place where everyone can come out and enjoy themselves, regardless of age. He shared the city is a community with a lot of children due to having two Elementary schools and a Middle school in the vicinity. 

Evans believes Center Park is a great place to be, and the city hopes to continue improving it. The park’s new playground opened just in time for kids to be out of school and excited to have fun.

“They get to come down to Center Park and just play, whether it’s throwing a football or whether it’s playing on the playground equipment, or just walking around the park or playing on the splash pad,” he said.

Evans envisions the park as a local destination for Centerville, reducing the need to travel far for recreation. He also described it as having widespread allure. 

“Center Park seems to be a great hit for people from all over; not just in Centerville. When I’m talking to people I find people from Perry, Byron, Kathleen, Bonaire, Macon and all over. Center Park is a great hit, folks love it,” he said.

Center Park is located at 103 Church Street.