A new playground for generations of kids, now open in East Point, GA

This post is brought to you by Let’s Play, an initiative by Dr Pepper Snapple Group that provides kids and families with the tools, places and inspiration to make active play a daily priority by building and improving playgrounds and donating sports equipment to groups in need. I’m a Let’s Play Ambassador and was compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.

It’s a nice playground and kids that play on it might never know that it was built in 6 hours. The playground at the John D. Milner Athletic Complex in East Point, GA is now open to entertain kids as they run, jump, play, socialize and get their sillies out. Parents know that the last phrase is important for kids because it takes a combination of physical exercise and mental stimulation to make play as great as it can be.

Prior to the new park’s construction children in the area had a play set, but it was dated and didn’t meet with the growth that has occurred in the area. The new park is safer and more comfortable. Gone are the five areas of play that the old play set had. And in its place are modern structures that are more resistant to heat and offer dozens of ways to play.

All of the cement has settled and the posts that support the climbing walls, non-slick floors and multiple ladders or stairs are buried underneath feet of mulch. What was an eyesore has been replaced with a destination that sits on a path to a series of community baseball fields. Now when the older sibling has a game their younger brother or sister can go to the playground and do what they do best.

This new playground has a much wider age range for play too. Kids 10 and younger will be able to climb, run or jump the way that they always wanted to at this park. As you walk along the path you’ll find a spring operated see-saw. When I was a kid I loved these. Parents will appreciate this newer one too because it’s safer and has more of a gentle rocking nature to it.

There is also a dedicated rack of three swings for big kids ages 5 and up. Kids will absolutely love to see which of their friends can go the highest on these swings. Don’t forget your lunch because there are many picnic tables that are spread out under some of the newly built shade areas. There are enough new picnic tables to go under those classic shade trees that pepper the outer edges of the park too.

Certain things make a neighborhood more cohesive. A playground is one of the big ones. I know there’s a grocery store very close to this neighborhood, a train station less than half a mile away and many other things that make this area better. Thanks to Let’s Play, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM! for updating the gathering space for this neighborhood’s families!

For more information about Let’s Play and ideas for how to keep your kids active, visit LetsPlay.com.