Somerset Township Brings Vision for Young Children’s Play Area to Life
A vision by the Somerset Township Trustees to create a dedicated play space for younger children has officially become reality at Somerset Township Park at 55260 Shry Rd. located off CR 102 (Stumptown Road), just east of Somerton.
The park has been around for nearly 30 years. According to township trustee Jeff Miller. It began when Somerton resident and former township trustee Ron Thornberry donated the land for the park. The trustees received a grant thanks to the late State Senator Jim Carnes to help fund the parking lot and initial park development, including original playground equipment designed for older children.
Added this year is a one-unit playground with climbing activities, slides and learning games designed for children ages seven and under.
The Somerset Township Park’s new play area. [Photos Provided by Jeff Miller.]
The new playground was completed and officially opened about a month ago.
The trustees worked with Playtime Playground Equipment Company, headquartered in Colorado, to design what Miller described as a “lifetime” playground.
Funding for the project came through donations and proceeds from ball games held at the park. Miller added the community response has been overwhelming and thanked township residents for their generosity.
Miller said the total cost of the project, including new gravel and engineered fiber mulch, was about $45,000.
“On any given day during the ball season, there’ll be 20 kids playing, if not more,” Miller said. “So having them around and using the park as a community, that’s the biggest reward for me.”
What was once a park featuring a baseball field, walking trail, horseshoe pits, two picnic shelters, barbeque grills, monkey bars, swing sets, slide, climbing dome, lifetime swings is now more complete.
Read an earlier article about the project and fundraising efforts here.
The Somerset Township Park original display before the new additions. [Photo provided by trustee Jeff Miller]
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