What used to be a parking lot is now a place where everyone can play. On Monday, June 9, Scranton City Officials and members of the Scranton Municipal Recreation Authority celebrated the opening of a new playground at the city’s Nay Aug Park. Adorned with butterfly decorations and themed educational activities, the Butterfly Playground is a completely accessible play area for families of all abilities to enjoy. Isett proudly served as the project’s landscape architect and also provided survey, geotechnical, bidding, and construction administration.
From platforms built for wheelchairs to soft playing surfaces, Isett took many steps to ensure the area served all. “It may look pretty straightforward as far as just concrete walkway, curb, and some surface and putting in the air equipment, but a lot of safety and ADA compliance goes into something like this,” said Mike Lachman, Landscape Architect.
Thom Welby, vice chair of the Scranton Municipal Recreation Authority, proudly showed off and described the playground’s accessibly features during the ribbon cutting. “We have a merry-go-round that is flush to the ground where the kids or adults can stand or sit and play on that. There are also activity panels that allow for activities that are musical or skill oriented and are things that we don’t see enough of in our playgrounds around here.”
The nearly $400,000 project was funded through a state casino grant, administered by the city, with support from lawmakers and local volunteers. The Butterfly Playground is just phase 1 of the “All Inclusive Discovery Corridor,” planned for the area behind St. Cats and Dogs of Nay Aug Zoo.
To learn more about the Butterfly Playground, check out the news coverage from WNEP and WBRE/WYOU.
