SEARCY — For youth and young adults possibly wanting to train for a ninja-warrior type event, Searcy may be the place.
The Searcy Parks and Recreation Department is installing a HyPar Net play structure near the Searcy Event Center on Higginson Street. The new structure is nearing completion, lacking only the center climbing net.
“We got it through the Arkansas Parks and Tourism 50/50 grant, which we apply for every year,” Searcy Parks and Recreation Director Mike Parsons said. “We’ve been working at all of our parks, trying to update all the playgrounds.
“We’ve gotten to the point now where we don’t have anything for the older kids and adolescent kids, and the ninja-warrior courses are getting really popular around the U.S.”
Parsons said the city applied for the grant last year and received it.
“We knew what we wanted to do around October last year but didn’t get to go ahead and do it until March this year,” Parsons said. “We’re in the process of applying for next year’s grant.”
The project cost $88,000 total, with Searcy paying half.
“That includes concrete work, labor and all the materials,” Parsons said.
A year ago, Searcy Parks upgraded Spring Park with new equipment, and the park reopened in October 2017.
Parsons said the department wanted something different for the area near the Searcy Event Center.
“We wanted something different, aimed at older kids,” he said. “The place where we put the HyPar Net is going to be Phase 1 of what we hope will be a lot more equipment out there.”
The climbing apparatus is on a concrete pad with room for more gear. The skate park was moved from that concrete pad in preparation for the new gear.
“We moved those to try to transform this new area,” Parsons said.
A rubberized mat was constructed for the bottom of the new gear, which Parsons said is more cost effective than mulch-type landing pads.
“It’s a better material for wheelchairs and handicapped-accessible items to be on,” Parsons said. “Plus, the main part for a climbing structure, it’s a lot safer if a child is to fall.
“Hopefully, with some of the equipment we’ll be getting out there in the future, adults can play on it also,” he said.
At the Searcy Event Center, there is no playground equipment. In addition to the skateboard park, there are basketball courts, which had murals painted on them by Searcy elementary students as part of the Think ART project. The murals are close to being completed, Parsons said.
“When people host events out there, there is nothing really for the kids to do,” Parsons said. “This will give them something to do while the events are going on also.”
With the new gear being close to the skateboard ramp, Parsons said that will be a plus.
“It’s located right next to our skate park, so we’ll get kids from all different backgrounds and all different ages out there,” he said.
Staff writer Mark Buffalo can be reached at (501) 399-3676 or mbuffalo@arkansasonline.com.