It was a long Winter and it’s been an even longer Spring, though change is very much in the air when it comes to Brandon’s outdoor recreation options for kids of all ages and abilities.
Not only are the city’s playgrounds in the process of gradual re-openings this week, Brandon Riverbank Inc and Westman Dreams for Kids have shared this week that setup is about to begin on the city’s first accessible playground in the Riverbank area.
First announced during the fall, the Westman Dreams for Kids Accessibility Park will feature a rubber surface for wheelchair accessibility as well as accessible variations of popular playground items such as a teeter totter and a spinner. Crews are expected to begin setup this week at a location directly across the walking path to the West of the Riverbank’s current play structure.
The site where the park will soon be setup
The project came that much closer to reality in early December when it was shared that Brandon’s J & G Group of Companies had made a $67,000 donation to cover exactly half of the $134,000 cost of construction.
Plans originally included an opening in time for the annual Dreams for Kids Children’s Country Fair. Though that event is now cancelled in lieu of COVID-19, the new park is expected to be ready for opening by the end of the month should all go according to plan according to WDFK’s Angie Ball. At that time it’s expected that it will be subject to the same physical distancing expectations in place at other city playgrounds as part of measures in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As far as Brandon’s other playgrounds, the City of Brandon has said that it will gradually over the course of the week prepare each for opening. Folks with an eye on Brandon School playgrounds will have to wait a little longer, with Brandon School Division presently awaiting direction regarding the many structures on its property.
The Riverbank Discovery Centre itself has announced that it will remain closed on May 4th, though its many outdoor recreation options remain available for public use with physical distancing expectations in place.