Families in search of a new public playground in Marion to accommodate children from infancy to five years old will get their wish come spring.
Gametime, a custom playground manufacturer, has awarded the City of Marion nearly $65,000 toward the purchase of new equipment for Matter Park, nearly half the total cost of the equipment purchase of just over $136,000.
One section of the updated playground is designed for children ages 2 – 5, and another section will accommodate those 6 to 24 months of age.
The new structures will be built near Shelter 2 in Matter Park, replacing the old structures.
Parks Office Manager Rose Cadena applied for the grant after receiving notification that the City would again be eligible for funding. In 2022, she applied for and received $50,000 from Gametime toward four new playgrounds throughout Matter Park, a total cost of $100,000.
Construction on the updated ‘0−5’ playground will begin later this fall, weather permitting, to open by early spring of 2025.