After Years of Planning, a New Playground at Springvale Park

INMAN PARK — After years of planning and intense fundraisers, it came down to this: The "snip-snip" of a pair of scissors, applause and the pitter-patter of pint-sized feet and children's laughter.

On Saturday, residents of the neighborhood held a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony to offically open the new playground in Springvale Park.

The equipment and its installation in late January, followed roughly $104,000, that the playyground committtee raised, including grants of $20,000 from the city and $47,000 from Park Pride.

City, neighborhood organizations recognized at the dedication included the City of Atlanta Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, Park Pride and the Inman Park Neighborhood Association.

Local businesses that contributed to the playground build by donating services:

• Small Carpenters at Large
• Sunbelt Rentals
• Quikrete
• Wrecking Bar Brewpub
• Willy's Mexicana Grill
• Inman Park Business Center
• The Albert

Spearheading the efforts were playground committee members Amy Higgins, Eric Goldberg, Patty Murphy, Jane Smith, Kristina Murphy and Katherine Graves.

The playground makeover was designed to appeal to a wider age range of kids in Inman Park, and children with special needs.

The playground improvement project is part of the ongoing discussion for an overall master plan for Springvale Park, which includes improvements on lighting, creating additional entry points and erosion control.