The City of Knoxville held a ribbon cutting for the new playground in World's Fair Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 10 a.m.

A $130,000 project funded by the City, the playground is located north of the park fountains and adjacent to the East Tennessee Veteran's Memorial.

The 4,150 square-foot playground features an accessible, rubberized surface, a climbing wall, a neutron spinner, multiple slides, a dual track ride, and more. The structure was designed and built by Kidz Zone Play Systems.

Knoxville Parks and Recreation sought input from local elementary school children and Knox County school physical education teachers for on what features they would like to see installed. Knoxville Parks and Recreation Director Joe Walsh visited Sterchi Elementary, Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Technology Academy, West Haven Elementary, and Dogwood Elementary and asked students to vote on their favorite types of play structures.

While the kids voted, Walsh consulted with the physical education teachers about which play structures were most needed to help the children stay fit. The input gathered from these sessions was incorporated into the bid request for the playground. 
 
"The kids and their teachers truly gave helpful input in our committee's selection of the playground," Walsh said. "I hope these kids get the opportunity to enjoy the product of their suggestions." 
 
He pointed out that with options including a playground, park fountains, the veteran's memorial, restaurants, a greenway, and a Sunsphere, World's Fair Park is an ideal to visit.

For more information on the World's Fair Park and other Knoxville parks, please visit www.cityofknoxville.org/parks.