Children dart between swings and slides, play football in the grass and explore the vast sandbox. Parents chat in the shade and play with their kids. 

Even at sunset on a September evening, the energy at the renovated Beachwood playground is hard to contain.

The playground was torn down and rebuilt last spring in order to update the equipment, add more amenities and make it more accessible to people with disabilities. The project had been in the works since 2022. 

The playground is still as beautiful as it was when it first opened on May 31. It offers a newly- designed play structure that goes up to a maximum of three levels, newly added zip lines, a play area for smaller kids and options for kids with disabilities.

The soft plush surface beneath the equipment allows kids to run without fear of splinters or cuts, and parents appreciate the thought behind the playground design.

“The playground is beautiful,” one mother said. “There are lots of things to do, and I love all the sensory play. I can see things that were intentionally designed for kids with all abilities.”

However, while the upgrades make the space inviting for families, at least one parent is concerned about her child’s safety on the rock climbing wall.

“It’s probably my scariest point,” she said, suggesting that an optional harness or a pulley system that you could strap onto kids could make the experience safer for children and ease the parents who would otherwise not let their kids get on it. 

Also, on hot days the beaming sun heats the surface of the rock wall, making it too hot even for older kids to touch.

Despite these concerns, the playground is viewed as a community hub where both children and parents connect.

“There’s space to walk around, and I interacted with [other] parents here–we just talked about our kids and some funny things,” another parent said.

Kids also find it easy to make new friends. A kid named Bella quickly joined a group of girls on the swings, running to the sandpit and laughing together despite never having met before. 

The playground layout, which features separate zones for different age groups, encourages these joyful interactions. 

The sound space of the park, with soothing instruments that kids will sometimes play and excited giggles you can hear from every corner, complements the serene yet lively atmosphere. 

Parents can sit and relax on the benches surrounding the play area, keeping a watchful eye on their children.

From a zipline that offers a standing and seated option to the smaller slides for children, every child can find something to enjoy. 

“I liked the swings and the huge slide all the way at the top,”  one nine-year-old said, though she struggled with some equipment in the sandbox. The machines were too heavy for her to move, so she played with the sand toys instead.

Through a few adjustments like an additional water fountain, because there are only two, and safety improvements on the rock wall, the playground experience could be enhanced; but overall, the renovations have transformed the park into a lively gathering place.

 As the sun sets and families still linger, children’s laughter rings in the air.