Submitted by the City of Warsaw
The City of Warsaw conducted a survey shortly after the Steamboat Phase I Playground was opened. This survey was to determine what the community thought of the new playground, plus what they would like to see in a second phase. At the same time, a local resident approached the city about donating to a Phase II in their family name.
According to Randy Pogue, City Administrator and Planner, “The City of Warsaw has joined with the Bibb family to build Phase II of the Steamboat Playground. Phase I was completed in October of 2023 with huge approval from the community. Based on a community survey, the community wants a more age diverse playground area, shade structures and a restroom.”
With knowing the survey results, the Bibb family will contribute $300,000 to the project through a dollar for dollar match from the community. This will be a total of $600,000 for new play equipment, shade structures and a new restroom. A video has been produced to illustrate how the new Phase II will connect to the current Phase I.
Phase II has been designed to be more inclusive to all age groups, while continuing the river front theme from Phase I. The Phase II design will have over 27 imaginative play activities, highlighted with an impactful color scheme offering a rich partnership with the Historic Past of
Warsaw’s Osage River Heritage, and the required social behavioral, physical skill, and communal activity development of today’s children.
Mayor Eddie Simons states, “We are very excited that the Bibb family has come forward to contribute to the next phase of the playground. With their financial commitment combined with the community match, we will be able expand the play area into a one of a kind public play area in the lakes area.”
He further stated, “It has been a long-time goal of the city to improve the recreational opportunities for our youth in the Drake Harbor Recreation Area.”
There will be activities in this play area that will help develop agility levels, balancing skills, and core body strengths. Some of the items are:
• Hover Net with Custom spoonbill fish themed climbers
• Multi Person Swings
• Various style of Log Climbers and stepping pods
• Buddy Rocker
• Mini City Community Helpers Log Cabin themed playhouse with a fish crawl tunnel
• Custom Boat themed spring rider
• Custom Log/Rock Themed ADA transfer point
• Big Kahuna Bridge / Climber
• Custom Mushroom Step/Climber
• Custom Frog Climber
All combined with bridges/walkways/decks/swings for continuous play as children travel from activity center to activity center throughout over 7,500 square feet of play area. Including the current Phase I 2500 sq. ft. Steamboat themed play area, this will be a total of 10,000 ft. of outdoor activity for our youth and those that we welcome to visit.
For fundraising information, go to www.welcometowarsaw.com. At the lower left corner of the page, click on the LEARN MORE button at the City of Warsaw, or go to the City of Warsaw FACEBOOK.
