Joy in the city as Chester dedicates new playground

Chester celebrates as new community playground opens

The city on Thursday unveiled its newest addition to the community — a family park at the corner of Eighth and Lloyd streets.

“This is our park. We will keep it clean,” the children recited after Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, moments before gleefully running to the brand new jungle gym and slides, swing set and basketball court.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Williams said it was a gift to the community.

“It’s about our children. They need to have a safe place to play. They need to be able to get exercise, and they need to be taken care of by everyone in the city,” Williams said. “They are my responsibility, and they’re the city’s responsibility.”

Kirkland said the goal of the park, and others like it across the city, is to first involve the parents and their children.

“You see a lot of parents down here right now and that’s what we want to continue. We don’t want them just sending their kids down to the park,” Kirkland said. “Parents, go down and play with your kids, and then the kids realize that this is not ‘my’ playground — it’s somebody else’s playground as well.

“This is our playground as a community and a family.”

Members of the neighborhood were ecstatic for a place for their children to play. One man said he’s had to drive his daughter down to Claymont, Del., to play in a playground.

“It gives a sort of pride to see this,” said Mike Mills. “It’s a start right here.”

Kirkland, too, experienced a sense of pride seeing a brand new playground on a block he lived for more than 20 years. His family remains in the area.

“This is a park for our babies. Let our babies have fun. Let our babies enjoy themsevles. And let our babies have an opportunity to play freely in our neighborhood,” Kirkland said.

Lisa Johnson, who was playing with her son, Avery Johnson, 1, said she welled up with tears when she saw the final touches placed on the park.

“I got emotional. We grew up here as kids. My grandparents’ house is right around the corner,” Johnson said. “It’s a very tight block, very family oriented, and I hope the kids get to experience a part of it.

“They deserve this.”

RICK KAUFFMAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Derrick Welles, left, plays with his son, Dylan Welles, 3, right, at Chester’s newest playground on the corner of Eighth and Lloyd streets.

RICK KAUFFMAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Ariya Nelson, 3, right, and Makayla Hunter, 3, center, play on the swingset Thursday evening at Chester’s newest playground on the corner of Eighth and Lloyd streets.

RICK KAUFFMAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland is joined by members of city council, city government and members and children of the Chester community at the ribbon cutting at the newest playground in Chester.

RICK KAUFFMAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Ramyah Evans, 5, plays on the jungle gym with other youngsters on Thursday in Chester.