It’s that time of
year when the dull brown-grays of winter begins to fade and the lovely green of
spring explodes like a painted landscape.
What a perfect time to explore the outdoors. Arlington is home to a wonderful series of
parks, but the jewel in the crown is River Legacy Parks.
This magical nature
experience is a 1,300-acre natural park located on the banks of the Trinity
River in North Arlington. The philosophy
behind the park is to preserve the natural beauty of the terrain along the
Trinity while at the same time providing recreational and educational
opportunities for park visitors. A
playground area has always been a favorite with children and their parents.
According to Kurt
Beilharz, project manager for the City of Arlington Parks and Recreation
Department, “The playground area of the park had become outdated and was
recently refurbished and improved with new equipment and safety surfacing
designed with a nature-theme consistent with the natural surroundings in the
park.”
The
main play equipment structures were installed last summer. The equipment was custom designed for the
River Legacy Park playground and is sculpted from glass fiber reinforced
concrete. The new equipment is exciting
and inviting, beckoning children to come play and explore!
Cheryl Nason
Slides
appear to be coming out of a huge old hollow tree trunk and climbers have been
designed on the sides of the tree. Animal faces, such as raccoons and owls,
peer out from hollows in the tree. A net
climber is configured to look like a giant spider. There are shaded areas under the quasi-trees for kids to sit and interact. For the smaller
kids there is an actual sized skeleton of a T-Rex dinosaur to climb on.
Beilharz
continues, “Another very exciting aspect of the new playground is a system of
raised net tunnel structures that take the adventurous up into the lower
branches of surrounding trees.”
A
playtrail has also been constructed. The
“Playtrail” concept promotes fitness by encouraging families to walk together
and enjoy the various play areas along the trail.
While
you’re at the park, also explore the 12, 000-square-foot Living Science Nature
Center. The Center is home to
environmental education programs and there is always a calendar full of public
programs and events. The children’s
programs are particularly popular and space is limited.
Click
here to learn more about River Legacy http://www.riverlegacy.org/
and the experiences that await you and your family. Or you call 817-860-6752.
Columnist
Cheryl Nason is a motivational speaker, author, educator and an expert on humor
in the workplace. More information: www.cherylnason.com
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