New Civitan Park Playground Dedicated In Sunny Ceremony
Friday, September 8th, 2023
If the sound of children playing in the background was occasionally too loud to hear the speakers at Thursday afternoon's ribbon cutting for the new Civitan Park playground, that was probably alright with event organizers.
After all, the new facility was designed and built to generate just that type of excitement.
The new playground at Civitan Park was officially dedicated on Thursday afternoon with a ceremony attended by City of Dalton leaders and staff along with dozens of children and their families. While the grown-ups listened to speeches praising everyone who had a hand in the creation of the new playground, the kids wasted no time climbing on board the new play structures serving as the event's backdrop. That is, after they got their complimentary shaved ice from the Kona Ice truck brought in for the occasion.
Caption: With children playing in the background, Mayor David Pennington speaks to the crowd gathered for Thursday's ribbon cutting ceremony at Civitan Park
"We obviously need to get more children to come to council meetings because we don’t get crowds like this," Mayor David Pennington joked before pointing out that Civitan Park is Dalton's most-used park for free play. The new playground was part of the City's capital improvements project and its addition comes on the heels of the construction of a new permanent restroom facility for the park. "With the new bathrooms and now this unbelievable children’s play area behind me, Dalton once again has the premiere facilities in the state... there’s nothing more important than recreation in a community."
The new playground facility includes a towering play structure with multiple slides of varying heights and shapes. Nearby there is also a zipline structure and a separate "sensory area" with play equipment closer to the ground for younger children and those of different abilities. This area is a good place for children who need to get away from the high intensity play area for some quieter fun. The equipment is ADA compliant and accessible.
"When we were given the green light to move ahead with this project, (Recreation Superintendent) Will Chappell and I thought that we want to make sure we provide a playground that is going to be used and relates to the user group," Parks and Recreation Director Caitlin Sharpe said. Sharpe explained that she and Chappell approached 5th grade teacher Allison Chlebisch to survey her class for feedback about what they'd like to see in the park. "Guys if you ever want some raw, true feedback on something, 5th graders will give that to you," she joked.
The City Park 5th graders' top five priorities for the park included "ziplines, playing with friends, climbing, swings, and an element with water," Sharpe explained, pointing out that a swing set is still coming soon to the park. As for the element of "playing with friends," Sharpe pointed out that the sensory area was included to make sure that the park was inclusive and ready for all of our friends to use.
Caption: City leaders, staff, and guests pose before the ceremonial ribbon cutting on Thursday
"It’s a small park (in terms of the size of) the lot, but it really encourages exercise and play so we’re happy to be a part of it," Sharpe said.
Members of Mrs. Chlebisch's class attended Thursday's ceremony and one student was given the honor of holding the giant ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon and officially open the park.
City Administrator Andrew Parker told the gathered crowd that the City's staff has adopted an unofficial mission statement that "we're building Georgia's premiere city to live, work, and play." Parker said that each day, City leaders are charged to determine what they can do to make Dalton better.
"One of the biggest connections that the City has to that mission statement is through our Parks Department," Parker said. "These are the amenities that bring young families to town and as a relatively new parent... I recognize that more than ever. And, over the last two years there’s been a commitment to reinvest in the parks system not just with playgrounds but with synthetic turf replacements throughout the park system and that’s going to continue to be a capital priority for the city for years to come."
Captions: Scenes from the fun at Thursday's opening of the Civitan Park playground
Recreation Commission Chairman Allison Whittle expressed pride in the new playground and the statement that it makes to visitors.
"This particular playground, I feel that it’s the one that is most seen by people who are coming through Dalton and to have it just be beautiful off the street the way it is really is just nice to see," Whittle said.
City Councilmember Dennis Mock serves as the liaison to the Recreation Commission, and praised community members who approached that body with requests for the park and the feedback that helped it take shape.
"This park and these amenities came from suggestions from the citizens and from the kids and that’s the way city government should work," Mock said before closing his remarks, wrapping up the grown-up talk so that kids could finally rule the day.
