An “unconventional” new playground will soon open in Moody Park.
The park’s playground has been closed to the public since September, as work began to build a new water park and playground that includes features like “nest” swings and new climbing apparatus.
“We are anticipating that will be open for the public at least by the Victoria Day long weekend, in about a month from now,” said Dean Gibson, the city’s director of parks, culture and recreation. “If you look at it, you may say, ‘How’s that possibly going to happen?’ But a lot of the heavy lifting, so to speak, they are wrapping up, and we will be going in and doing a lot of the soft landscaping and installation of equipment.”
With an office overlooking Moody Park, Gibson has spotted many curious folks stopping to check out the progression of the new playground.
“The design is somewhat unconventional compared to other parks that we have in the city,” he noted. “We work on a variety of different elevations, if you will, so there’s high points in the park, there’s points that actually dip down below the former grade of the site itself, little peaks and valleys and lots of curves.”
Gibson said the playground includes materials that don’t look like conventional playground equipment.
“It should be quite intriguing,” he said. “We are looking forward to the public to be able to enjoy it soon.”
While the playground will open in May, a grand-opening celebration will take place in the summer – when there’s a better chance of good weather.
