If you explored Beachwood this summer, you might have noticed some new, towering, bright blue flowers that cropped up near the Beachwood Community Center. The new flora are part of the community’s brand-new playground, which opened May 31.
“There are lots of shady spots, way more shade than there was previously,” Community Services Director Derek Schroeder says. “Shade is probably the most important thing for me when considering playground designs.” Along with the shade flowers, the new playground has a 26-foot-tall tower, ziplines, a rock-wall mound, slides and a giant sandbox. Additionally, there are several musical components, as well as open turf spaces where children can play games or families can have picnics.
“We put together what we believed to be a unique, one-of-a-kind playground design and then engaged the community with a survey to ensure that the project would meet their needs,” Schroeder says. “There’s not a playground in Northeast Ohio that can compare to it. You simply can’t put into words that moment when we cut the ribbon in May and hundreds of kids rushed out to be the first to play.”
The Community Services team also wanted to focus on accessibility and safety when finalizing the playground. The ground surfaces are rubber for smooth access, and the playground is fenced in to alleviate fears of children running into parking lots. There is also a unique wheelchair swing that fits two people so that children with disabilities can still play with their buddies.
“You can swing with your friends or with your mom and dad instead of swinging by yourself, which is what most wheelchair swings are,” Schroeder says.
The playground is the latest development in the area after six pickleball courts and two sand volleyball courts debuted last summer. These additions, along with the existing pool, tennis courts and community gardens, have transformed the block into a hub for Beachwood.
“It’s a gathering space,” Schroeder says. “This whole area has created these mini multi-generational communities that are so cool to see.”
