Willow Park vision begins to take shape in Morris

A reimagined vision for recreation is taking shape in the Town of Morris.

Volunteers gathered at Willow Park Tuesday morning to break ground on the highly anticipated playground project that's been two years in the making. 

"It was an exciting morning," notes Melissa Lamotte, a member of the group that's behind the effort to turn the park into a central place in the community where people of all ages and abilities can come together and be active and have fun. "It was nice to see the playground equipment delivered and come out of the semi, and everyone on site ready to go, ready to install."

Measuring about 13,000 square feet, the playground will be one of the largest in Manitoba, according to Lamotte. It includes separate play structures in the 2 to 5 and 5 to 12 age ranges, along with various swings and many accessibility features. There will also be a full ninja course featuring two zip lines, one with an accessible base. Additional features include an overhead ladder, an A-frame cargo net, a peg bridge, a ledge hanger and fitness bars and benches.

An aeriel rendering of the ne Willow Park Playground supplied by the community group

Lamotte notes the equipment is being installed by members of the Willow Park Committee. "Hopefully we'll have it ready to go and open for the public by June 2nd." She adds, "We're really, really excited."

Lamotte adds nearly the entire cost of the $375,000 project has been supported by private and corporate donations totalling about $325,000. The remainder has been covered by a $50,000 Building Sustainable Communities grant from the Province.