‘State-of-the-Art’ new Lakefront Park playground unveiled

  • Kissimmee city officials Friday cut the ribbon on a first-of-itskind inclusive children’s park by the Lakefront. PHOTOS/DAVID CHIVERS
    Kissimmee city officials Friday cut the ribbon on a first-of-itskind inclusive children’s park by the Lakefront. PHOTOS/DAVID CHIVERS
  • Kissimmee city officials Friday cut the ribbon on a first-of-itskind inclusive children’s park by the Lakefront. PHOTOS/DAVID CHIVERS
    Kissimmee city officials Friday cut the ribbon on a first-of-itskind inclusive children’s park by the Lakefront. PHOTOS/DAVID CHIVERS

A brand new, state-of-the-art, inclusive playground opened Saturday with a ribbon-cutting at Lakefront Park in Kissimmee. The playground features the newest designs, and was built as a collaboration between the City’s Parks and Recreations Department and playground manufacturer BCI Burke, which used the occasion to show the completed park to their national representatives.

“This is literally the latest innovations in play,” said Mike Phelan, president of BCI Burke, gesturing to the towering structure behind him. “We just had our sales conference down here and launched all these new products, starting with the Burke Giant Chair, which is a fun, whimsical way to welcome people to the park. It’s a great way to put the name of the park on it. The large tower is the latest innovation–our Aspire Tower System. This allows kids to get up and really feel free while they are up there and have something to aspire to get to. When a little kid comes up to it, is looking in it, it’s a kind of awe. It’s even awe for us to look up at that tower.”

Among what makes the park an inclusive product is a 360-degree loop slide for children and families with differing abilities.

“A child can climb up [the ramp]to the top, move over, go down the slide, scooch over, and then do it again.” Phelan said. “A lot of times they are dependent on a care giver to come wheel a chair to them at the end. This allows them to have play, but also have independence. We always are focused on bringing inclusive, innovative products to markets, and it was really great to be able to partner with the City of Kissimmee to bring this one to fruition.”

Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Director Steve Lackey noted the partnership brought a first- of- itskind park to Kissimmee.

“They have three busloads coming from the [Orlando] Convention Center, and they’ll see it for the first time. By our organizing this unveiling event for them, they give us an incredible discount on the equipment, so it’s one of those offers you certainly don’t walk away from,” he said.

Lackey says a similar installation at the Fortune Road Playground in 2019 has become a “destination playground,” resulting in the town building pavilions there to host families and people who come and spend the entire day. The city expects the same at this new playground.

“This park holds a special place in the hearts of our residents and acts as one of the most important gatherings in our city,” observed Mayor Olga Gonzalez. “Families come together right here at Kissimmee Lakefront Park to create cherished memories. We are absolutely thrilled to now have such an impressive playground right in the heart of our park.”