• Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor

Hartselle Enquirer
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Public Records
  • Madison County Record
  • Madison Living Magazine
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
  • Contact Us
  • Services
  • About Us
  • List of Locations
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a News Tip
  • Submit a Photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Engagement Announcement
  • Wedding Announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letter to the Editor
    Hartselle Enquirer
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
    Madison to celebrate the re-opening of Kids Kingdom playground Nov. 20
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, RSS Twitter, Z - News Main
     By  John Few Published 
    8:15 am Saturday, November 4, 2023

    Madison to celebrate the re-opening of Kids Kingdom playground Nov. 20

    MADISON – Madison leaders say they are thrilled to finally get to celebrate the opening of the new playground at Kids Kingdom in Dublin Park on Monday, Nov. 20. A ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. will mark the complete renovation of the playground with added inclusiveness and safety.

    “Kids Kingdom has stood as a cornerstone in the city of Madison since the late ’90s when Jane Dow and her team led the community build of the first playground. We are so excited to see this playground updated with improved safety and added inclusiveness for children of all abilities. We are eager to watch future generations enjoy the playground as much as our kids were able to when they were younger,” Madison Mayor Paul Finley said.

    The completion of the project is a very welcomed sight for city officials and Madison Parks and Recreation Director Kory Alfred. The playground closed in September 2022 for renovations and was originally slated to be in late spring or early summer, but delays due to weather and other issues pushed that date back significantly.

    For example, a utility meter for electricity had “to be pulled back a little in the overall plan,” Alfred said. And the Madison area had an extremely wet springtime. “Public Works would go to work and then a storm would hit, and the crews had to stop” and deal with city infrastructure, such as clogged ditches.

    However, Alfred takes pride in the inhouse prep that Madison Public Works has accomplished and “let us put money into the site. We saved $1,000,000 on the site work.”

    The new design incorporates all elements for slides and swings in the original plan, along with adding accessible components:

    Sensory elements — For visual, auditory or tactile experiences. Sights, sounds and touching of surfaces, walls and equipment will engage children. “The Sensory Dome is available for all kids but especially children with special needs. If they feel scared, they can walk inside the dome and decompress. It’s similar (to the purpose) of the Quiet Room that we’ll have at Madison Community Center,” Alfred said.

    Expression swings – Allows an adult to swing face-to-face with the child. The adult can have eye-to-eye setup to encourage emotional, adult-to-child bonding. The “primetime swings” can include a bay, while the “expression swings” can be tandem or with adaptive seating.

    Rover or car – Accommodates wheelchairs but available for everyone.

    Wide stairways – Using low angles for easy mobility.

    Built-in level changes – Allows children to go around, through, under and over equipment.

    Rubberized ground surface – Poured-in-place rubber matting with higher safety standards (especially compared to hardwood mulch) against falls during play and easier mobility for wheelchairs. One of the most expensive components, the surfacing cost $303,195.

    Adaptive-friendly zipline – Giving thrills by innovative design from Sky Run Zip Track. The new amusement is accessible to all children. “This is one feature that I really wanted,” Alfred said. “It’s kind of cool.”

    The new playground has improved sight lines so a parent or caretaker can easily see a child with straighter vision.

    The GameTime division of the award-winning Playcore company has designed the playground. GameTime manufactures components in Fort Payne.

    Kids Kingdom has been designated as a National Demonstration Site for Inclusive Playground Design.

    Madison Visionary Partners (MVP) led the fundraising efforts for the playground and worked closely with Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB), who advised the city of accessibility needs at the playground. A check for $607,430 from MVP will be presented to the city at the ribbon cutting.

    “MVP is proud to play a role in such a pivotal project for our community. We thank the donors who saw the importance and impact their dollars make, and hope many memories are made at the park for years to come,” added Melanie Thornton, Executive Director of Madison Visionary Partners.

    The previous 30-year-old wooden structure has been replaced by a modern design that features a castle theme, a nod to the old park. The all-inclusive playground features equipment for our special needs community, a padded playground turf and new bathrooms. The playground will be open to the community during daylight hours after the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

    Also on The Madison Record
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Madison County Record, News, Sports, ...
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Bob Labbe 
    July 2, 2025
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    Madison Stake of LDS Church hosted Make Music Huntsville
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Madison Stake of LDS Church hosted Make Music Huntsville
    Gregg Parker 
    July 2, 2025
    MADISON – “Make Music Huntsville 2025” offered a full day of live music, worship and community connection. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day S...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Heidi Clemons feels ‘out of this world’ as Midtown’s Teacher of the Year
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Heidi Clemons feels ‘out of this world’ as Midtown’s Teacher of the Year
    Gregg Parker 
    July 2, 2025
    MADISON – When Heidi Clemons hears a student say, “That was so fun, Senora Clemons!,” she knows all her planning for that lesson paid off. She is “Tea...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Madison Elementary picks Beth Massey as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
    Madison Elementary picks Beth Massey as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    July 2, 2025
    MADISON – When Beth Massey started working for Madison City Schools in 2019, she immediately felt at home. Massey is “Teacher of the Year” at Madison ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    As ‘Mrs. Alabama America,’ Brianna Sistrunk focuses on national title
    Bob Jones High School, Living, Madison, ...
    2025 Mrs. Alabama America
    As ‘Mrs. Alabama America,’ Brianna Sistrunk focuses on national title
    As ‘Mrs. Alabama America,’ Brianna Sistrunk focuses on national title
    Gregg Parker 
    July 2, 2025
    MADISON - Brianna Sistrunk of Madison has been crowned 2025 Mrs. Alabama America and soon will compete at the national level. The Mrs. Alabama America...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON – When Chelsea Young moved to Madison in 2016, Madison City Schools held “a reputation for academic excellence and for one of the best distric...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON – Annabel Richter’s work can confirm that a student has a solid path to a well-rounded education. Columbia Elementary School’s faculty and sta...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Summer camp
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON - A local church’s special event connected on a personal level with 130-plus children who celebrated faith and friendship. Starting summer in ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Get Legals or Public Notices Published
    Latest Local News
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    Madison Stake of LDS Church hosted Make Music Huntsville
    Madison Stake of LDS Church hosted Make Music Huntsville
    MADISON – “Make Music Huntsville 2025” offered a full day of live music, worship and community connection. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day S...
    July 2, 2025
    Heidi Clemons feels ‘out of this world’ as Midtown’s Teacher of the Year
    Heidi Clemons feels ‘out of this world’ as Midtown’s Teacher of the Year
    MADISON – When Heidi Clemons hears a student say, “That was so fun, Senora Clemons!,” she knows all her planning for that lesson paid off. She is “Tea...
    July 2, 2025
    Madison Elementary picks Beth Massey as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Madison Elementary picks Beth Massey as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    MADISON – When Beth Massey started working for Madison City Schools in 2019, she immediately felt at home. Massey is “Teacher of the Year” at Madison ...
    July 2, 2025
    As ‘Mrs. Alabama America,’ Brianna Sistrunk focuses on national title
    As ‘Mrs. Alabama America,’ Brianna Sistrunk focuses on national title
    MADISON - Brianna Sistrunk of Madison has been crowned 2025 Mrs. Alabama America and soon will compete at the national level. The Mrs. Alabama America...
    July 2, 2025

    More Local News

    Our Latest E-edition
    Read the most recent edition
    Latest Stories
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut with Little Booths Market Day on July 12. Little Booths Market Day ...
    June 25, 2025
    TARCOG asks for input on services that benefit senior citizens
    TARCOG asks for input on services that benefit senior citizens
    HUNTSVILLE - Top of Alabama Regional Council of Government or TARCOG wants your input. Affiliated with TARCOG, the Area Agency on Aging is conducting ...
    June 25, 2025
    Heart of the Valley YMCA hires Rob Gray as president
    Heart of the Valley YMCA hires Rob Gray as president
    By GREGG PARKER MADISON COUNTY -- Heart of the Valley YMCA has appointed a new president to lead the organization. Rob Gray has accepted the position ...
    June 25, 2025
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas has made a series of player moves including Mitch Daly. The Bob Jones High graduate and only local player to sui...
    June 18, 2025
    School leaders urge parents for feedback about rezoning
    School leaders urge parents for feedback about rezoning
    MADISON – With their continuous honors, Madison City Schools students have proven their mastery of the ‘three Rs – Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic.’ H...
    June 18, 2025
    poll
    Latest Sports
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas has made a series of player moves including Mitch Daly. The Bob Jones High graduate and only local player to sui...
    June 18, 2025
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    MADISON - Since birth, Mitch Daly has always been on the move as his father, Ed, is a four-star general in the U.S. Army causing him to pack up his wi...
    May 26, 2025
    Thousands expected for Memorial Day’s Cotton Row Run
    Thousands expected for Memorial Day’s Cotton Row Run
    HUNTSVILLE - The Cotton Row Run is a community event. The annual Memorial Day extravaganza, held in downtown Huntsville, again this year will attract ...
    May 20, 2025
    Madison Academy girls surge into soccer finals
    Madison Academy girls surge into soccer finals
    HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy entered the state soccer tournament scoreless in three previous games at John Hunt Park, including against Donoho last se...
    May 9, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Business
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Business
      • Sponsored Content

    Other Publications

    Madison Living Logo Living 50 Plus Logo

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , The Madison Record