Waldport Playground Opens

After much anticipation, the playground portion of Southworth Park in Waldport is going to open. The dog park is already unofficially open, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done around the playground, according to Waldport City Manager Dann Cutter. "But I was convinced that people are going to go nuts if they can't get out to that playground. So we are going to open the playground as of 10 o'clock on July 3" Cutter said. The playground itself is done, but the area is still surrounded by fencing. The concrete work is not finished and there is not a paved approach to the playground.

The park project was started about 12 years ago, when the relocation of the high school freed up the open space. After the move there was a lot of discussion about what should happen there, with suggestions for a dog park, playground, sports area, and picnic area. Cutter said he was able to secure a $750,000 grant from Oregon State Parks,

which allowed the city to move forward. Travel Oregon, and the Oregon Coast visitors Association contributed another $150,000.

"We have the soccer fields that are in place in the soft Ball field, but really the marquee feature of this park is the playground," Cutter said. The playground is a 14,000 square foot playground, the largest accessible playground on the Oregon coast. Cutter said the company that built the equipment says it's the largest playground they've ever done. The playground is designed to meet all accessibility and inclusive parameters.

Almost every single structure on the playground is accessible. The surfacing was provided by a grant from the Noble Carlton Fund and is wheelchair accessible. "The playground itself is designed to be accessed by people of many different abilities and needs," said Cutter. People and parents who are coming to watch the kids play at the park should bring some chairs to set up outside around the playground. The city will have porta potties set up there, but the bathroom is not yet built. Cutter reminds that the cities 4th of July fireworks celebration is going on July 3rd at about 10pm. He encourages community members and visitors to come shop locally and enjoy the celebration at dusk.