MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Foundation is proud to celebrate the opening of the new Heart of Ohio Playground at Memorial Park in Centerburg.
The playground is made possible through community support and funding raised through the Friends of Memorial Park Fund at the foundation.
A public ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, at 4:30 p.m. at Memorial Park. The Centerburg Friends of Memorial Park and Knox County Chamber of Commerce will host the event. Families are invited to attend, explore the new playground, and enjoy food and snow cones provided by Centerburg Church of Christ.
A multi-year project
The idea for a new playground began in September 2022, when Centerburg resident Kara Staats began conversations with community members about updating the play space at Memorial Park. A small committee of residents, local officials, and nonprofit representatives formed to guide the project.
“Seeing this playground come together after years of planning has been wonderful,” said Staats. “It’s been amazing to see the whole community get behind the project and really step up when we needed it—whether it was donating money, digging holes, loaning equipment, or giving time and labor. It has truly been a community project.
“What I’m most excited about is the rubber surfacing—it’s a game changer. We would not have been able to pay for it without a very generous contribution from the Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Their support helped fund the solid surfacing, which allowed us to add a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round and several other inclusive pieces.”
The group partnered with Kinetic Recreation to design a playground that would serve children and families throughout the community.
It features multiple play structures with slides and climbing elements designed for a range of ages. It also includes swings, spinners, and interactive components that encourage active play.
An expanded vision
As planning progressed, additional funding partners helped expand the project’s vision.
The Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities contributed $179,274.75 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. This funding made it possible to install the poured-in-place surfacing and additional accessible play features.
“Playgrounds are where children learn some of life’s first lessons, how to share, work together, build friendships, and use their imagination,” Knox County Board of DD Superintendent Steve Oster said.
“We’re proud that ARPA funding helped support accessibility features at the Heart of Ohio Playground so children of all abilities can play side by side and families across our community feel welcome. We are excited this playground will benefit all of Knox County and specifically the Centerburg community.”
In total, the project raised more than $325,000. Funding included an $85,000 grant from the Knox County Foundation, through the Friends of Memorial Park Fund. Hilliar Township, the Village of Centerburg, and many local donors and volunteers provided additional support.
“This project reflects the power of community partnerships,” said Lisa Lloyd, senior program director at the foundation. “We’re grateful to the donors, volunteers, and partners who helped bring this playground to life and proud that the Friends of Memorial Park Fund will continue to support it for years to come.”
The Knox County Foundation will continue to steward the Friends of Memorial Park Fund, helping ensure the long-term maintenance and enhancement of the playground.
Community members are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting and celebrate this new addition to Memorial Park.
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