A new playground will replace Firestone Funland

Aug 5, 2023

Firestone Funland will be replaced with a new, more accessible, playground in the future. Funland has been around since 1995. (Photo by Katie White)

A new playground is needed in Firestone Park and a newly formed committee is seeking input on its design.

City Manager Lance Willard said the city’s park and cemetery board formed the playground committee specifically to begin planning for construction of a new playground.

“They realize it will be a long process,” he said.

The committee is currently focusing on gathering input from the public in order to formulate the design for the new playground, and then the next step is to seek funding.

“They will work with the Restoration and Beautification Committee to ensure that it complements what is done out there,” he said of the R&B’s overall Firestone Park improvement projects.

The existing playground, Firestone Funland, was constructed in 1995. Plans call for it to be removed and replaced by the new playground at some point in the future.

Willard said that the new committee has actually reached out to the committee that was in charge of the Firestone Funland construction.

“We are not reinventing the wheel. We will learn from what they have done,” he said.

In his correspondence with the city, Park Superintendent Tim Reash said a new playground will provide a safe, fun, and accessible environment for all to enjoy.

“Firestone Funland has been an iconic landmark in our community since 1995 and has provided countless memories for families and children from all around,” he said. “The playground committee members are excited about the future and what the possibilities could be.”

The new playground committee will be utilizing social media, committee meetings, flyers with QR codes, and more, to gather input about what the community wants to see as part of the new playground and surrounding area, he added.

“We are at the beginning stages of a very long process, but we are ready to move forward with building something that will be inclusive for all and enjoyed for years to come,” he said.

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