A sparkling new playground nearly three years in the making is now open in the park in downtown Cedar. Swings, slides, climbing equipment and more are now available for kids of all ages and abilities. The project was a partnership between the Cedar Chamber of Commerce and Solon Township. The latter formed a parks committee in 2019 and named Chamber Vice President Mary Taylor as project coordinator.

Thanks to donations, grants, and major community support, the $75,000 project was completed and a ribbon-cutting was held on June 11.

Taylor says more than 25 people were involved in constructing and placing the equipment and surrounding landscaping. Last week volunteers spread 150-plus yards of mulch donated by Deering Tree Service. Elmer’s donated cement, Precision Concrete Pumping provided the pump truck, and Grand Traverse Masonry donated the time of four of its workers, taking them off a job to assist in the proceedings.

Reactions from community members on the Friends of Solon Township Facebook page have been enthusiastic and heartfelt, with one local mom posting after seeing the new playground on a trip to town for ice cream: “I’ve been teary-eyed; I can’t wait to get my boys to the playground. Thank you so much for considering accessibility in the design and to everyone who volunteered.”

Taylor calls it “a great community project” and says the committee is eyeing other improvements to the area’s park properties as well.