Kenai Parks and Rec is excited to announce the installation of a new inclusive seesaw at Kenai Municipal Park. This new playground equipment is designed to accommodate children of all ages and abilities, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can play together.
In November, the Kenai City Council received a $20,000 grant from the Marathon Corporation designated to purchase playground equipment.
Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Best said that an all-inclusive seesaw was decided to be the new addition to the playground.
“It has colors, it has sensory, and it’s highly accessible at that park. And it also fell within that price range that we were able to get the grant for so it seems like this piece of equipment hit the biggest age range and the biggest user groups is why we selected,” said Best.
The new seesaw has numerous accessibility features, promoting social interaction, physical activity, and fun for all.
“We are incredibly grateful to Marathon for providing this grant opportunity,” said Best. “Inclusive playground equipment like this seesaw has been a focal point in the Parks and Recreation industry across the nation for several years, and it is great to have this equipment installed at one of our parks.”
“The Parks and Recreation Department’s efforts to create inclusive playgrounds is a tremendous benefit to Kenai,” said Bruce Jackman, general manager of Marathon’s Kenai refinery. “As a community partner for over 50 years, we’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute. We believe in supporting initiatives that promote key focus areas, including thriving communities, and this enhancement to local recreation options is a great example of that.”
Inclusive playground equipment offers numerous benefits, including promoting social inclusion, enhancing physical development, and boosting emotional well-being.
Kenai Parks and Recreation invites families to visit Municipal Park, try out the new inclusive seesaw, and enjoy the park’s other amenities. To celebrate this exciting addition, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
