Playground plans swing into full gear at Inn Yard Park

This week, two mothers announced that they’ve secured more than $100,000 from Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr.’s office in order to build a playground at Inn Yard Park, which is located along Ridge Avenue in East Falls.

At an East Falls Community Council meeting on Monday, Jennifer Arnoldi, who is heading up the project along with Sarah Taylor, said, “The playground project is back on!” The two women had previously tried to obtain funding from other sources, but didn’t raise enough. They were thinking about waiting until 2012 to pursue the project any further, until Jones came through.

The funds will go toward playground equipment, benches and paths. Arnoldi and Taylor are currently soliciting opinions from community members, especially young families, about what type of equipment to purchase. Because the project will be done in conjunction with the city’s Department of Parks & Recreation, Arnoldi said, this equipment must adhere to its guidelines.

“They have a lot of restrictions,” she said.

The playground will be for children ages 2 to 12. Arnoldi and Taylor aim to bring together East Falls families who drive to several other playgrounds miles away, which leads to fragmentation among the community. Also, they hope that the playground will encourage young Fallsers to be physically fit, social and creative.

At the meeting, one community member asked if lighting would be provided in the funds. Arnoldi and Taylor explained that the basic funds would not cover lighting, since there is already lighting at Inn Yard Park’s basketball court.

Once plans are completed, Arnoldi and Taylor will present them to the East Falls Community Council for approval. Jones’ office says the playground will be up and running by this summer.