Wilmington opens Eastlawn Park after months of renovations (video)

Wilmington’s Eastlawn Playground opened Wednesday after months of renovations.

For years the Eastlawn Playground in Wilmington was rundown and deserted. The basketball court was always empty because of the damage caused by storm water runoff.

But on Wednesday, children played on a cleaned up basketball court and colorful new playground equipment after its grand opening, hosted by Mayor Dennis Williams, D-Wilmington, and City Councilman Nnamdi Chukwuocha, D-Wilmington.

It’s a great opportunity for us to give our children places where they can be children and be away from some of the negativity and chaos going on in some of our communities,” Chukwuocha said.

“It’s a place where they can have a safe haven and be protected and supported in their growth and development.”

The $295,800 project was funded in the City’s fiscal 2012 budget and a $45,000 grant from Delaware State Parks.

Zakiya Minkah, president of the Eastlawn Civic Association, said it’s important for children to learn social skills and personal responsibility.

“This is a place where our children can have an opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills, and interpersonal skills is lacking in our children,” she said.

“It’s also a place where they can develop more responsibility, the responsibility being the older children look out for the younger children.”