For Immediate Release
April 21, 2011
City to celebrate the opening of Emerald Fields Playground on May 10
Dublin (OH) – The City of Dublin will celebrate the opening of the Emerald Fields Playground at a dedication ceremony from 10 -11 a.m. Tuesday, May 10.
In 2009, the City was awarded $475,000 from the State of Ohio to construct the Emerald Fields Playground—a special needs playground. The funds came from the State’s Capital Improvements Budget. The City received the funds through a pass-through from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The grant funds were received in two payments, one in 2009 for $155,182 and the second in 2010 for $315,068. The grant included funding towards design and construction of a universally accessible playground.
“The playground was designed for children with special needs, but the playground is also a place that can be enjoyed by all children,” said Fred Hahn, director of parks and open space. “The goal is to provide an area that will promote social interaction among all children.”
The Emerald Fields Playground is a loop system, which allows children with disabilities to play chase with other children. Additionally, the playground has composite structures with several ramp entrances and sensory stations. These stations include music, spinning cups and balance/hop space that can double as a small classroom/theater space, a swing area, and Neos sound and lights game for children and adults.
Miracle Playground marked the City’s first all-accessible playground, located in Darree Fields Park, 6259 Cosgray Rd. and features similarities of the Emerald Fields Playground.