City Acts on Proposed New Playground at Southside Park

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved the plans for a brand new all-inclusive playground at Southside Park. The Tyler Area AMBUCS, Tyler Sunrise Rotary, the City of Tyler, and Child’s Play Incorporated of Dallas have teamed together to design the playground. The proposed all-inclusive playground would replace the current structure at Southside Park. It would be funded through donations from the community.

“Getting our children fit and active is an important part of maintaining a healthy community,” said Parks Director Stephanie Rollings. “A great facility like this will give children and parents, of all abilities, the opportunity to play and enjoy the outdoors.”

The new and improved Southside Park will include two age-appropriate playgrounds, an enclosed sports court, a music garden and an updated pavilion. It will also include ramps and turf to make it easier for children, parents, and anyone in a wheelchair access. An estimated $750,000 will need to be raised to pay for the equipment. Once the funds are raised, the donation will need to be officially accepted by the City Council.

A community build is scheduled for June, subject to completion of the fundraising. Leading up to the build, installation crews with Child’s Play Incorporated will lay out the playground and the City of Tyler Parks Department will do the concrete work. Southside is a highly utilized park south of the intersection of Shiloh Road and Donnybrook Avenue. This popular park features picnic areas, restrooms, pavilions, a large playground area, and hike and bike trails. Playground equipment was last installed at the park 11 years ago.