As Work Continues on $1M-Plus Inclusive Playground, Officials Reveal Perfect Date for Ribbon Cutting
By Jeff Toquinto on November 14, 2024
The exact completion date of every phase of the Medbrook Children’s Charity Inclusive Playground being built at The Bridge Sports Complex remains unknown. However, those involved with it have a fairly good idea of when they hope to open what is completed to the community.
During Wednesday’s meeting of The Bridge Advisory Committee, Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth gave an update 
on the facility. In the update, he unveiled what officials would like to see as the ribbon cutting ceremony date.
on the facility. In the update, he unveiled what officials would like to see as the ribbon cutting ceremony date.
“We’re hoping by the opening day of Challenger baseball, which is in the middle of April, that we can have a ribbon cutting for at least three quarters of the playground,” Shuttleworth said. “… We’re pretty confident we can hit our date.”
If it can happen, it would be appropriate. Challenger is the division of Little League for children with disabilities. The Bridgeport Challenger league has roughly 100 individuals participating from counties throughout North Central West Virginia.
“Not only is it going to be inclusive and be a feature piece for our friends in Challenger League, but it’s going to be such a unique piece that 
kids will remember it,” Shuttleworth said. “Kids will want to come here and play on it.”
kids will remember it,” Shuttleworth said. “Kids will want to come here and play on it.”
The playground will have an approximate price tag of $1.5 million. However, when adding the donated labor, discounted materials, donated equipment, or even other items discounted, the total is likely a few hundred thousand more dollars.
There is also more money to be raised, but that won’t stop it from opening if all the funds and all the equipment are not in place. Shuttleworth said the playground is set up to be designed in phases to allow for the possibility that not every dollar needed has been acquired.
“We’re raised about $1.3 million, and we need a little bit more to get over the finish line and we’re working on that now,” he said. If those final funds are raised, then the entire project is expected to be completed by the time of Challenger League opening day.
Work was going full throttle on Wednesday. Among those doing work were staff of the City of Bridgeport. Public Works was working on moving earth to help put a small retaining wall in place. Contractors were also busy putting together parts of the playground equipment, which Shuttleworth said consisted of less than half of what will eventually be in place.
While some curbing and sidewalks are in place, more work will be done on that area. Also, there will be more installation of playground equipment and the poured and play surfaces, which is the soft material making the facility more user friendly and to meet ADA needs.
“These will have the most accessible surfaces,” said Shuttleworth. “It’s going to be like that throughout, and this is a big, big facility with several activity areas.”
Editor's Note: Top photo sows public works installing a retaining wall, while the bottom photo shows installers working on the playground equipment. In the middle photo, Joe Shuttleworth addresses The Bridge Advisory Committee as The Bridge General Manager Droo Callahan looks on.
