contributed graphic Elim Children’s Center’s new playground will be finished by early May.

Children at Elim Children’s Center will enjoy a new playground area this spring.

According to Melinda Beard, director of the center, the playground is scheduledt to be finished in May, though work has not begun because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beard said changes are necessary for children to get the best care.

“To aid us in providing exceptional childcare, a renovation of the playground is needed to provide a safe and appropriate play area for the children to enjoy for years to come,” she said.

The playground was hit by the 2018 tornado, damaging the fence and embedding glass in the playground surface.

Though the area was thoroughly cleaned to allow children to use the site, Beard said the surface must be replaced to meet insurance requirements.

Insurance will not cover the entire replacement cost, so the center has depended on fundraising and volunteers to make the improvements. The project also received a grant form the Community Foundation of Marshall County.

The playground has also experienced regular wear with age, which contributes to the need for renovations.

The new playground will include new rubber surfacing, Miracle playground equipment with three slides, climber options and a bridge. There will also be a rock wall tent, which is a rock wall set in a triangle shape.

The area will increase by 3 feet to make room for an outdoor sand and water play area.

“The new surfacing will meet the playground safety standards and the new play structures will include more age appropriate equipment,” Beard said.

The equipment will be appropriate for children ages one to 10.

“Elim has been providing care in Marshalltown since 1987 — we continue to grow and expand,” Beard said. ” We want to ensure the children have a safe and age appropriate play area for years to come.”

——

Contact Anna Shearer at ashearer@timesrepublican.com.