[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] At left, City Council President Steve McAllister and Mayor Frank Picozzi, center, cut the ribbon on the new Apponaug Playground.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] At left, Melinda Crispy and her son, Roman enjoy the new Apponaug Playground.

WARWICK, RI — Apponaug Playground has become a hit with parents and kids in the week since its $789,000 refurbishment wrapped.

The upgrades at the playground behind City Hall at 3257 Post Road, paid for with a combination of grants from DEM and federal (CDBG) grants received in January, Warwick Post reported at the time. The improvements include new equipment, accessible surfacing, improved loop paths from the City Hall lots, accessible parking, new stair handrails, bleachers, benches, tables, shade trees, interpretive signage, Little League safety netting to keep baseballs in the adjacent ball field, and a new basketball court.

“That one needed a lot of work,” said Warwick City Council President Steve McAllister, pointing out the basketball court prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the playground.

Local families have been enjoying the improvements. In fact, a group of about 12 children were already playing at the site, with their parents nearby, when officials arrived for the ribbon cutting.

Some of the play was run of the mill fun, including two girls running together between the slide and jungle gym.

“Hey, will you be my friend?” one asked the other.

“Yes,” the girl answered.

“Follow me!” her new friend called as she ran.

Melinda Crispy appreciated the moveable, touchable elements of the park. Those are good for her son Roman, 22 months, who’ll be two in December.

“Roman has sensory issues so this good for him,” Crispy said. She said she was also impressed that the playground was designed for both younger and older children, which isn’t common at playgrounds.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Mayor Frank Picozzi, left, and his grandson, right, top of slide, at the new Apponaug Playground Tuesday for the ribbon cutting ceremony. — [CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Mayor Frank Picozzi, left, and his grandson, Tyler Kirchner, right, top of slide, at the new Apponaug Playground Tuesday for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly refurbished playground.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] New friends at play at the new Apponaug Playground Tuesday during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Part of the project to update Apponaug Playground included a new basketball court.

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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