Town plans a dedication ceremony Sept. 17

The climbing/slides structure was made to resemble the indigenous trees surrounding the playground. (Christina Ritchie Rogers / CorneliusNews.net)

Work crews are out at Robbins Park this week installing equipment for the new playground – one of the final phase I projects to be completed before the grand opening celebration Sept. 17.

The playground equipment, which includes slides and an internal climbing system, is made of glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) and is modeled after the indigenous trees surrounding the playground.

“Were super proud of it,” said John Cunningham, a certified playground safety inspector and employee of Cunningham and Associates, a Charlotte-based company that sells GameTime Play equipment. “It’s the only GRFC playground in the Carolinas,” he said.

GRFC is durable and requires little maintenance, Mr. Cunningham said, which makes it ideal for playground equipment.

Included in the model are little details - like this owl - that add to the fun. Children can also search for model squirrels and a tree frog climbing around the structure. (Christina Ritchie Rogers)

All of the structures should be installed by Friday, but the playground will not be ready for children for another couple of weeks, he said. Crews still need to put down the floor, which will be made from rubber pieces stuck together “like a Rice Krispies treat,” Mr. Cunningham said, and need to do final touch-ups before the grand opening at the park in September.

Formerly the old Robbins farmstead, the 107-acre plot of land along West Catawba Avenue was purchased by Mecklenburg County in 2001 for eventual development as a park to serve the rapidly growing population around Lake Norman. In an effort to expedite development of the park, the Town of Cornelius leased the property from the county and also collaborated with the developer of the adjoining neighborhood, The Preserve at Robbins Park, to construct roads and utilities serving both the park and the neighborhood.

The first building phase of the park features a multipurpose field, an informal play meadow, two tennis courts, restrooms, a picnic shelter, picnic sites and the custom nature-themed playground. Also it includes a trail system that weaves through the park and connects to the adjoining nature preserve and ties in to The McDowell Creek Greenway.

To celebrate the phase I completion, the town will host a dedication ceremony starting at 9:15 a.m. Sept.17. After the dedication ceremony, attendees will enjoy refreshments and children’s activities, provided by The Community Arts Project and Earth Fare, until 11 a.m. Also on site will be animals from the Carolina Raptor Center and Davidson College’s Herpetology Lab, and commemorative backpacks will be given away (while supplies last).

WANT TO GO?

The ceremony begins at the shelter/playground area of the park, 17738 W. Catawba Ave., at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17.

Parking is available on Robbins Crescent Drive, just off of West Catawba Avenue.

For more information about this or any Cornelius PARC Department programs, contact the Cornelius PARC Department at 704-892-6031 ext. 160, or visit its website, at www.corneliuspr.org.