Tuscumbia Parks and Rec opens new toddler playground in Spring Park

Temperatures closer to fall weather have been flirting with The Shoals over the past few weeks.

Lower temperatures mean more pleasant trips outside, and therefore more time spent outdoors.

Kids ages 6 and under spending time in Spring Park in downtown Tuscumbia now have a new feature to take advantage of.

A new toddle playground feature was opened in the park on Labor Day. The space sits where the old roller coaster used to be.

The toddler playground is geared towards younger children who might be too small for some of the park’s other features.

“They won’t get run over by the bigger kids,” said Hanna and Christopher, who had their kids Terrance and Avery out on the new playground this week.

“It’s more relaxed, and it’s over here in the shade, so the kids won’t be in the direct sunlight,” Christopher said.

Things like swings, a climb zone, seats and a tic tac toe station are on offer for those looking to play.

“It’s wonderful,” said Tuscumbia Parks and Recreation Director Tammy Holt. “It’s been a long journey getting it to the point it could be opened safely. We are still working on some of the cosmetic stuff.”

The toddler playground project was started when former Tuscumbia Parks and Rec Director Brooks Canup was at the head of the department, who has since gone on to work for Muscle Shoals.

Some issues delayed the opening of the new feature, like the concrete pad and securing enough of the correct mulch.

Holt said it is a “big relief” to finally have the toddler playground open.

“We had several kids playing when we opened it on Labor Day,” she said. “They all seemed excited. I rode through the park Sunday (9-7) evening, and there were five or six kids playing out there. That’s what it’s for. A lot of Parks and Recreation is providing activities for kids.”

Holt said getting everything done was a process, including adding steps, a ramp and working on the deck area.

She said some cleanup work remains on the outside of the toddler playground, and items like a table may be added in the future.

“Hopefully one day we can add more pieces to it,” she said. “It is enclosed by a fence, but we can enlarge that if we need to.”

Along with the new playground feature, Tuscumbia Parks and Rec recently started seasons for fall baseball, softball, flag football and volleyball.

“It’s wide open for us right now,” Holt said.