Park's playground hits a homer

SANDUSKY — A new baseball-themed playground hits the perfect triple-play combination, satisfying children, their parents and local officials supporting the project. Not too long ago, a play structure debuted at AMVETS Park, which borders Sprau Park, at West Adams and Harrison streets overlooking Sandusky's coal docks. In 2023, when Sandusky began work to expand its nearby sewer plant onto Sprau Park, officials needed to relocate two of its four youth baseball fields and remove a playground. The new playground popped up just before games, through the AMVETS Youth Baseball League, kicked off for 2024. Chris Mehling, the city's recreation project coordinator, filled in some blanks on this endeavor: • The structure: "The custom-designed playground is baseball-themed and is geared toward children ages 5 to 12." • The amenities: The structure features slides, swings, climbing contraptions and more. It also "includes a (handicap-) accessible ramp with different activities any user can access for play. In addition, it offers an expression companion swing for social interaction as well as a Kidnetix spinner, which holds up to five children." • The cost: The playground's expense totaled about $217,000, a cost entirely covered with American Rescue Plan Act, or federal stimulus recovery, funds. • The importance: "The new playground is centrally located between Sprau and AMVETS parks, which allows families to use the equipment while other family members participate in or watch a baseball game or practice." • The other upgrades: "In addition to the new playground, we did some renovations to both the scorebox and concession stand. We added fencing around the playground. And, in the fall, we will be adding sidewalks along Adams and Harrison streets, which will connect to the Sandusky Bay Pathway. The total cost of improvements to Sprau and AMVETS parks is expected to be around $1 million," a cost broken up into various funding sources. Speaking up Beyond local officials, many people appreciate the new playground. This would include kids and parents: Based on their shrieks of enjoyment and constant presence there, kids seemingly enjoy this structure. And parents, who often visit the park for a multitude of reasons, also expressed their gratitude. For instance, a parent might have one child playing baseball, and the other or others can occupy their time by playing there. Among those speaking up on Facebook: • Alysia Gilliam: They did so great on this park. It is so nice. I always see all types of kids using and enjoying. So they hit the nail on the head. • Jody Showalter: Looks fantastic. • Alonda Gant: Aww love it and the theme.