A Safe Place To Play!

By NICK YAMASHITA

The Progress

There was light within those eyes, every single one of them! Approximately a dozen pairs of young eyes were lit up with excitement and eagerness on Thursday, October 8 on the west side of the Overton Community Center.

That was where a special ribbon cutting event was held involving a group of local pre-school children helping to cut the ribbon on a brand new playground facility at the Parks and Rec-operated preschool. The kids were able to run into the playground and enjoy it for the first time since it was completely remodeled.

The old playground located in that spot; sometimes called “danger pit” or “hazard grounds”; was now gone. All new Pirate-themed playground equipment had replaced it with the latest safety features.

The area was decked with colorful Pirate Ship-themed play equipment over a soft safety-surfacing to keep kids from being injured. The area also includes a sandbox for kids to play in. A small concrete walking path surrounds the playground. And all of this is fully enclosed by security fencing to keep the kids contained and safe.

County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick was in attendance. She helped a few of the kids take snips with the scissors and cut the ribbon during this Grand Opening.

“This has been in the works for about 12 years,” said Kirkpatrick. “We finally were able to take over the movement of redoing the playground about 3 years ago and make it happen! I am super excited and fully a big believer in recreation, especially for kids.”

Local Parks and Rec manager John Statsny was happy to see this project finally finished.
“It was horrific before and now it’s really nice,” Stastny said. “It has also opened up a lot of options for additional programs in the future.”

Stastny said that the new equipment has already generated a lot of excitement and enthusiasm in the community. There are already plans for programs aimed at pre-school aged kids in addition to the regular pre-school program during the school year.

“We are planning additional early music programs and mini sports camps in this area during the off-seasons like winter break and summer breaks,” Stastny said. “This makes the area so much more enticing for parents to enroll their kids in programs like that.”

Construction on the playground started in late May of this year by Monument Construction and Architectural Civil Group. The Parks and Rec Construction Project Manager Bobby Anderson said the timing for the project worked out well.

“It was a perfect time to get the project done because it is just in time for the weather to be really nice and not too hot for the kids,” Anderson said. “The pirate theme was a design collaboration between everyone and it worked great out here with the mascot traditions in the community.”

The project was funded by the county from 2017 funds designated for this project.
“We have done this and now we can focus on expanding the Logandale Sports Complex out here,” Kirkpatrick said. “We are making huge strides on creating some fun and a little adventure for the community of Moapa Valley to enjoy.”

After the kids had a chance to play on the brand new slides, climbing posts, and in the sandbox, they headed into the Community Center building for a Pirate Party. Each child go an eye patch, pirate hat, and vest; as well as lunch and other little party favors. The kids were running around having a great time throughout the afternoon.

“The new playground was a huge push from County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick who has really taken the time and money to help get the equipment and everything remodeled,” said Anderson.

Local community leaders were also present at the event. Sergeant Bret Empey and Officer Otto Foster were present from Las Vegas Metro Police Department in Overton. Moapa Valley Fire District Chief Stephen Neel was also in attendance. Former County Liaison Janice Ridondo and former Moapa Valley Town Board member Judy Metz also were present.

“It turned out really good,” said Parks and Rec Park Maintenance Manager Jon Andrew. “Now it’s my turn to take over and care for it from here on out.”