New Latimer playground brings summer smiles

Fun has been upgraded at Latimer’s Trailside Park.

Last week, volunteers worked to install new playground equipment at Trailside Park, located next to Immanuel United Church of Christ.

The installation of the equipment, as well as the previous renovation of the basketball court at the park, was the culmination of a nearly year-and-a-half long fundraising effort totaling $50,000.

The park now features updated equipment with slides, climbing areas, platforms and more, as well as a full sized basketball court with new pavement and lines. New benches, picnic tables and park signs will be installed in the near future as well.

“This will be a place where people can come and play and have picnics,” said Dee Ann Arlow, a member of the Trailside Park Committee. “This is more inviting and a lot safer.”

To raise enough money for the project took multiple grants and financial support from individuals and businesses, as well as fundraising projects. Arlow said the project nearly stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but support never waned amidst the uncertainty.

“COVID nearly brought it to a halt, but our gracious donors and grants pushed through,” she said.

Aside from financial contributions, local contractors volunteered resources for the new basketball court project and the installation of the playground equipment. For two days last week, volunteers worked in shifts to install the equipment and worked to complete the project by the weekend. Arlow said she was amazed at the hours volunteers put in and the countless support the project received.

“It’s a great feeling to know that the community has this kind of support,” she said. “We’ve seen it come together like this, and it’s so great.”

All the work, she added, was worth it to see the excitement on children’s faces as they watched the project come together.

“The reward is seeing their smiles,” she said.