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Ribbon cut at playground in Parkersburg’s Southwood Park

Photo by Evan Bevins Parkersburg resident Annabelle McCrady, 5, gets ready to use one of the slides on the recently installed playground equipment at Southwood Park Friday. City officials held a ribbon-cutting for the equipment Friday morning.

PARKERSBURG — City officials cut the ribbon on playground equipment at Southwood Park Friday morning, joined by some kids who were already familiar with the new additions.

The project was funded by a $35,000 federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant matched equally by the city through cash and in-kind contributions. It doubled the size of the Southwood playground with a playhouse, activity center and rockwall, among other items.

The rockwall is the favorite of Annabelle McCrady, 5.

“I made it all the way to the top,” she said.

Her brother Owen, 10, said he likes that there are features for older children like him as well.

Photo by Evan Bevins Holding the hand of caregiver Tessa Moore, right, 2-year-old Violet Robinson goes down a slide on new playground equipment recently installed at Southwood Park Friday. City officials held a ribbon-cutting for the equipment Friday morning.

The grant was initially approved by council in January 2014 to build a miniature golf course at Southwood. After considering the long-term viability of the project, it was decided to use the funds instead for playground equipment. The scope of work was approved by the National Parks Service last year, Development Director Rickie Yeager said.

Construction began around the start of June, but it took several months to complete the project. Factors included the need for a replacement part and the fact that city workers were doing the installation as part of the match for the grant among their other duties.

“It’s finally come to fruition with a lot of work from the Development Department and the Public Works Department,” Yeager said Friday.

Yeager and Public Works Director Rick Lemley were joined at the ribbon-cutting by multiple employees from their departments.

“This has been a dream now for several years,” said Councilwoman Sharon Lynch, who earlier this year questioned how long it was taking to finish the project.

Photo by Evan Bevins Parkersburg resident Annabelle McCrady, 5, front, and her brother Owen, 10, utilize new playground equipment at Southwood Park Friday following a ribbon-cutting.

“They’ve put up with me stopping and asking questions,” she said, laughing.

The playground equipment was put to use by several children immediately after the ribbon was cut. Tess Moore brought her children and two she cares for to play on the new slides and climbing features.

“I absolutely love it,” she said. “It’s a good addition.”

One of the slides has been damaged by vandalism, Mayor Jimmy Colombo said, but a replacement piece has already been ordered.

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