Irving has a new place to play! An innovative playground has officially opened at West Park, 530 Davis Drive. The Irving Parks and Recreation and Capital Improvement Program Departments worked with a consultant to design the state-of-the-art playground for children of varying ages, learning stages and physical abilities. About $350,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding was used to complete this project.
Designers included features for children ages 2-5, as well as ages 5-12. In one area of the space, children can expand their musical talents with a xylophone, drums and an interactive music box. In another area, designers included a quiet corner. The special corner of the playground is sectioned off with plexiglass, allowing a child the opportunity to separate themselves from sound and activity. The corner was designed for children living with autism, who may find areas of the playground overstimulating.
To give children with mobility issues the chance to use swing sets, seats allowing parents to safely secure their child were installed. The seats are oversized to fit larger children and feature lap bars and safety straps.
“This truly is an exceptional space. When staff sat down to design the playground, inclusivity was our first priority. We wanted a space every Irving child, no matter their physical ability, could enjoy,” said City Manager Chris Hillman. “This playground is an example of the direction department Director Joe Moses is taking Irving Parks and Recreation.”
The more daring children will enjoy a nearly three-story tube slide, merry-go-round, seesaw, climbing net and more. There are tunnels to crawl through, poles to shimmy and slide on, and all sorts of gadgets and amenities to foster a child’s creativity and imagination.
While children explore, play and expand their minds, parents can safely supervise from under shade canopies. The playground now has more than 1,800 square feet of shade and picnic tables situated around the area.
West Park Playground is the first playground in Irving to feature artificial turf as ground cover. The improved surface is the latest innovation in outdoor recreation space and easier to maintain than other playground landscaping.
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