Curry receives grant to construct disability-compliant playground

Curry County has received a $376,850 grant to construct the first Americans with Disability Act-compliant playground in the county, officials announced on Tuesday.

County Grant Administrator and Preventionist Kristian Price presented the news to the commissioners. Price said the new playground will replace the Ag Barn on the fairgrounds.

“It’s very cool that you got this done. It’s cool playground equipment and it’s appropriate for the fairgrounds,” Commission Chairman Robert Thornton said.

Price said the playground will fit the agricultural theme of the fairgrounds by making it more “barn-style.”

Plans call for five pieces of playground equipment. The playground will include a large sensory area for children to play with different colors, shapes and textures.

There will also be a playhouse called the market cafe, where kids can learn how to take orders, learn about different products and draw what could possibly be on a cafe menu. Price said there will be an ADA accessible swing that will be large enough to hold wheelchairs.

Price said the playground would replace the Ag Barn as it doesn’t serve as much purpose as it did in the past. She said the one con of this location is it will be located next to where alcohol is sold.

“However, this will be next to the picnic area as well. So parents can sit down and have a beer or eat dinner and watch their kids play,” Price said.

Commissioner Brad Bender said the location should not be a concern since alcohol customers cannot be served more than two beverages.

“We are not creating an area or space that will be like a bar. People aren’t gonna come here to get inebriated,” Bender said.

Commissioner Dusty Leatherwood suggested with the construction that the county place a sign stating age restrictions for the playground, to prevent disputes between children. Thornton agreed with Leatherwood; he said the playground isn’t an appropriate location for teenagers to hang out.