LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — Right now, Hoberman Park in Lock Haven is an empty park, but soon, a new playground will be installed there.
Volunteers are helping unload and put together pieces of the new equipment. Since the previous equipment was old and unusable, a new playground was needed here at the park. That's where KABOOM! came in—the national organization helps build playgrounds all over the United States.
"And we were looking forward to putting new equipment in, and with this project, the kids were actively involved in deciding what was going to—what was necessary, so the park has needed an update for a number of years, and this just gave us a great opportunity to put all of those things together," said Barbara Masorti, Lock Haven City Council Member.
Design days were held in May, inviting kids and the public to share what's important to them. The kids even drew some of what they wanted to see in the new playground.
"The final design was picked based on budget, of course, and of what the kids wanted, what was a good design with KABOOM, and with our city planner Abbey Roberts putting all of the—all of the ideas together, blending everything for the best possible outcome and I think the kids are gonna be surprised because I think a lot of what kids asked for is in this final design," said Masorti.
The playground project costs $1.9 million, with most of the funding coming from the Community Development block grant and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Other amenities at the park will include access ramps, an ADA-accessible swing, slides, and more.
"We have a zipline, which the kids wanted a lot, so we had to make sure that was in there and then a couple swings as well that anyone could use," said Abbey Roberts, Lock Haven's city planner.
Officials plan to add a rubber protective surface and hope to officially open the playground area for kids in about three weeks. Lock Haven police Chief Matt Rickard says the park will be a safe place for children and their families to go.
"This is gonna be a beautiful new high-tech, if you will, or much more enjoyable play area for the kids in the community."
If you would like to volunteer with the playground project, click here.