Connect Bridgeport
Ad
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Community News
    • Anniversaries
    • Announcements
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Calendar
    • Churches
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Directory
    • Farmer's Market
    • File Complaint
    • Greeting Cards
    • Library
    • Lost And Found
    • Obituaries
    • Parks & Recreation
    • Sponsorships
  • Trading Post
    • For Sale
    • Local Deals
    • Services
    • Yard Sales
  • Visitors
  • Relocation
  • Education
  • Jobs
  • Alumni
Ad

With Warmer Weather Here, Ribbon Cutting Near, One of City's Biggest Projects Sees Full Throttle Work

By Jeff Toquinto on March 20, 2025

A roughly two-year project with a million-dollar-plus price tag is getting close to being open to the community.
 
Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth said work is escalating with recent pleasant weather. While the ribbon cutting was initially set for mid-April for the Medbrook Children’s Charity Inclusive Playground, it will now be tentaively set for May 22.
 
The event is hoping to be held in tandem with one of the 2025 events of Challenger League of Bridgeport Little League baseball. That date would fall in line with the league's year-end celebration. Like the playground, Challenger League is designed to allow anyone with  disabilities of any nature to have a joyous experience. The inclusive playground project will provide that experience for children, or anyone of any age, by eliminating as many obstacles as possible.
 
“We’re still shooting toward a goal to have three-fourths of the playground open relatively soon,” said Shuttleworth.
 
Shuttleworth said he anticipates the first of June for the completion of all phases of the playground. Until then, concrete work and equipment installation will continue.
 
“(Bridgeport) Public Works crews have been completing sidewalks and curbing in recent weeks,” said Shuttleworth. “The curbing is to allow for the poured-in-place (PIP rubber) surfacing.”
 
A PIP surface is installed on-site by mixing rubber granules with a binder and pouring them over a prepared base. Once it is set, it creates a seamless, durable, and safe surface.
 
The work, as well as the completed parts of the project, are clearly visible just to the right of the Citynet Center at The Bridge Sports and Recreation Complex. Shuttleworth estimates the cost in the $1.4 million range, but an actual cost of $2 million once in-kind labor, discounted materials, loaned equipment, is figured in.
 
“The important thing to understand is that there was a little city investment, but the majority of this has been a grassroots fundraising effort,” said Shuttleworth. “… There are so many people that have played really large roles and smaller roles, all of which are important, to get us to where we’re at.
 
“I think another important thing to note is that it may be labeled a playground, but it is essentially a park,” he continued. “You are looking at a one-acre site with multiple playgrounds on it.”
 
The playground, or playgrounds, will be free for use by anyone – and that includes anyone outside of Bridgeport.
 
“We’ve had volunteers from day one starting with the earth work and going today with our public works staff being so instrumental. We’ve had drainage work, utility lines run, the city concrete crew, and so many others eagerly step in and step up,” he said. “When it’s done, you’ll see some grassy areas, but you’ll see this beautiful facility for anyone with disabilities that has the playground feel and a spongy, safe surface that will allow those mobility devices or issues with their legs to just be themselves. The goal of this was to create something special, and we’re feeling good we’re just about there.”
 

Share

Leave a Comment
Login or register

Leave a Comment

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up/stay connected

Create your profile to start adding photos, posting comments, and more.

SIGN UP

Ad
Ad

Blogs [ view all ]

  • Photo

    From the Bench: Past Players, Community ...

    For perhaps the first time ever, former players and eventually members of the community will have a chance to own a pi...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    Time Travel: Bridgeport High School Bask...

    This photo, courtesy of Frank Yerkey, is of him lining up a picture perfect jump shot from the baseline in 1962 again...

    Posted by Dick Duez

  • Photo

    It's Happening: Baylor Comes Home

    Many have been following the journey of 2-year-old Baylor Waggamon since early-2025 when he was awaiting a heart transplan...

    Posted by Julie Perine

  • Photo

    ToquiNotes: When a Thank You Simply is N...

    Sometimes, a thank you is not enough. Being able to look back with a little clearer mind in recent days, I do not beli...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    The Grapevine: New Book Review Features ...

    Arrivederci is a cookbook that I compiled and made available to the public around 2000. The book was an immediate succ...

    Posted by Rosalyn Queen

Calendar [ view all ]

Fri
18

Bridgeport Cattle Battle

Sat
19

Mario Kart Tournament (Bridgeport Public Library)

Fri
25

Christmas in July at Bridgeport City Pool

 



Bridgeport, WV
Editorial Board Advertise Privacy Policy Contact Us
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS

©2014 Connect Bridgeport.