Renderings have been revealed for the new playscape at Riverview Discovery Island.
After a lengthy review process, the committee responsible for developing the new playscape at Bigelow Park has revealed a ship-shaped playscape befitting the park’s location on Middleground Island in the Saginaw River.
The centerpiece of Riverview Discovery Island is a universally-accessible playscape that features play equipment for all children. Even its zip-lines and swings are wheelchair-accessible. Among its other safety-conscious amenities include slides that are built into the ground so as to cushion any falls, should they occur.
"The goal is to have an all-inclusive playscape with universally-accessible components for children from Bay City and the surrounding region and beyond," says Magen Samyn, Vice President, Marketing & Business Development, McLaren Bay Region.
"I truly believe that this is a destination playscape."
McLaren is one of the private donors to the project with committee members on the board.
A destination playscape was always the goal.
Riverview Discovery Island is located on the former site of another once-destination playscape, the Imagination Station, and organizers have been working on a suitable replacement since that playscape was razed in 2015.
Friends of Riverview Discovery Island was formed to guide the process. A big part of that has been establishing a dialog with the community, finding out just what it is that Bay City wants in a destination playscape on the island.
Meetings were held. Feedback was weighed. Even the name was selected as a result of a naming contest that received submissions from the community.
The park has been made possible through a combination of public and private funding.
Now that the ship-themed playscape has been selected, contracts have gone out to bid. Expect a Spring 2019 groundbreaking and a late summer or early fall opening.
"It’s just a wonderful thing for the community," Samyn says.
"For children and adults alike."
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