Litchfield designs park catering to toddlers

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Litchfield designs park catering to toddlers

The City of Litchfield designed new public recreation facilities for a small, but important group of residents — toddlers.

The new park in Litchfield is designed specially for toddlers and the handicapped. Abby Liebing

The city finished a new park in July designed specifically for 2 to 5 year olds and handicap children, in addition to approving plans to continue expanding the recreation area next to the park and updating the municipal swimming pool.

The new park has a unique design and equipment that caters to the play needs of toddlers and handicapped children while also keeping them safe. City officials hope the open field in which the playground is placed will make it easily accessible for the entire community.

The new park cost about $380,000 and was made possible through a donation.

“The generous donation was made by the Purdy family, and Purdy family was a long term family here located in Litchfield, that over the years have given so many different gifts to the city. This case this is no exception,” City Manager Doug Terry said. “This is a very unique playground. You can see this is artificial turf. This was built for 2 to 5 year-olds and handicap children.”

The turf is not only artificial, but it also has foam underneath so that if a child falls, he will not be hurt. The park designer made the park so that the height of the equipment determines the thickness of the foam turf. The higher the equipment, the thicker the foam underneath.

“The idea is that we want to protect children in the event of a fall and to minimize injury,” Terry said. “This is one of the more unique playgrounds in Michigan because it has that safety margin incorporated into the surface.”  

The park was specifically designed with toddlers and handicap children in mind, but Terry says it is a great place for any kid to play.

“We wanted to give more access to children, families, bike riders — anybody,” Terry said.

City Clerk Susan Ballinger said she has heard lots of positive feedback from other mothers. Ballinger said her own grandkids love the park too.

“I’ve had nothing but good feedback,” Ballinger said.

Mayor Edwin Smith said she has also heard great feedback, especially from the ladies.

“Their kids just love it,” she said.

Though the park was recently finished in July, there are already more plans about developing the open space around it and updating the pool.

According to Smith, there are plans to put a splash park in the open space between the pool and the new park.

Terry said the city is also hoping to update the 47 year-old pool and make it handicap accessible. According to Smith and Terry, the city is applying for a recreation trust grant to totally redesign the pool.

“We would somewhat shrink its size, but we would put in four Olympic swim lanes, and then zero barrier access,” Terry said.

The zero barrier access would provide a ramp for wheelchairs to go directly in the water.

The city is hoping to pursue these new plans and projects within a year. In the meantime, Ballinger said the new park and recreation area provides a great place for families in the community to gather.

“It’s the perfect little area for families to have their reunions, birthday parties, and picnics,” she said.