Tyler’s Southside Park renovations to include fully-accessible playground

TYLER, TX (KLTV) - Tyler’s Southside Park will soon be stripped of all playground equipment to make room for equipment that’s accessible to more kids.

The playground will be replaced with equipment that can be used by kids with mobility issues.

The renovations were first presented to the Tyler City Council by AMBUCS - which saw a need for such a park in Tyler.

City Councilman John Nix says $300,000 has been raised in about 12 to 14 months.

“We’ve already ordered the equipment, and yesterday at council we awarded the construction so we’re actually going, and we’re funded and no debt. It’s a good public-private partnership,” Nix said.

Nix says the renovations will be beneficial to families around the region, not just those who live in Tyler.

“It’s huge for our city, but I think it’s also a big deal for our region. If you’re a family and you have a child that has mobility issues and you have children who don’t have mobility issues, they all can’t be at the park at the same time on the equipment together," Nix said. “They’re are those parks in the state of Texas, but the ones that are well known, there’s a small one in Marshall. But other than that, you have to go to Dallas, you have to go to Houston or San Antonio for all your kids to be able to play together in the same area and on the same equipment so this is something that is really in my view just a ministry to the region not just a big deal for our city.”

Nix said AMBUCS spearheaded the renovations and that they probably wouldn’t be happening without their vision.

He said they’re still fundraising for enhancements to the park, including fencing and a sport court that will be fully accessible as well.

“We do have some options that we could add to it to make the experience better for our families in Tyler and in the region,” he said. “We still have some naming opportunities if there’s any businesses in town that want to participate," Nix said.

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