(Seguin) – Summer in Seguin just got even sweeter, thanks to the official opening of the city’s brand-new Kids Kingdom Playground in Max Starcke
Park. Kids got to try out the playscape over the Memorial Day weekend. The playscape opened one month earlier than anticipated.
The playscape was partly funded by Niagara Cares, the philanthropy of Niagara Bottling, LLC, through its Perk Your Park program. Since 2016, Niagara has funded the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Perk Your Park program, an effort to revitalize parks and outdoor community spaces across the United States.
Last week’s ribbon cutting was a community-wide celebration as it took the community to win the online contest for Niagara funding.
Thanks to the community’s overwhelming support during a 6-week public Outreach campaign, the city received a $75,000 grant from Niagara Cares to assist with rebuilding the Kids Kingdom Playscape. That’s after the original Kids Kingdom was removed from the park last spring due to safety issues.
Sharing fun facts about this newest addition to the current park’s system was Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen.
“The original Kids Kingdom Playscape was constructed and dedicated in October of ‘95, and it cost $100,000. The playscape sustained damag during the historic flood of October of ‘98, that horrific flood and was rededicated in July of ‘99 so less than a year to bring it back to the community. In November of 2013, Seguin voters approved $5 million in park improvements including the new playground that was opened in March of 2015 and it cost approximately $350,000. In February of ‘23, the wooden playscape was removed by the city staff for safety reasons and unfortunately, there was no way that we could salvage that 28-year-old historical piece that everyone in creation could remember. It was at the end of its useful life,” said Dodgen.
Dodgen says the new park also marks the first of its kind when compared to other playgrounds in this region. She says its inclusive play pieces are beyond more than what the original park had.
“The playscape did not accommodate those who were in need for equipment that they could play on,” said Dodgen.
The new playground includes several inclusive play pieces, such as a Temple Trolley designed in collaboration with best-selling author Dr. Temple Grandin, an animal behaviorist and autism self-advocate. The equipment swings with a shade structure, a music cluster, and a sensory round-about feature. Niagara employees were also among those who came out to play and celebrate the new playground. Niagara Plant Manager Ed Bailey says the Seguin plant is proud that the city not only competed against nine other cities nationwide for the grant money but that it garnered the most votes in the end.
“We all live in the community. Niagara is still a family run company. They really like to be a part of the community. It’s one of the funniest parts of my job is that not only do I get to run one of these amazing plants that they build but I really get to help out the community. Our teams get to be a part of the community. We are super excited to be able to be a part of this and bring a playscape where kids of all ages and abilities will come and enjoy it together. Nobody is left out. Our team members can use it as well and honestly, our relationship with Seguin is phenomenal,” said Bailey.
Among those from the community who came out to check out the playscape was Resident Christina Barton. For years, Barton has been an advocate for special needs kids and adults. She is one of the founders of Autism Beyond 22, the local group originally known as Special Kids with Special Needs.
Barton says seeing the playscape in her hometown and how it integrates play for everyone is a dream come true.
“As a citizen of Seguin, to have this available for the community, it’s wonderful. For the special needs community, this is not just for children, but I see it’s equipment for adults with disabilities that could come here and enjoy it too. The swing, the sensory equipment out here is wonderful, and the soft landing – that’s a plus,” said Barton. “It’s for the entire community to enjoy, and this is a huge step forward for Seguin. “This is totally original. I can’t wait to have a meeting here or a picnic. And I like that Niagara is very family-oriented and they think about the community, and they want to put more money into this community. I thought that was really tops for them.”
In addition to the Perk Your Park grant monies, park development funds were utilized to fully construct the playground. The new playscape is located at 1123 S. Austin St.
