Orange Township: Ro Park getting new 'inclusive play' playground equipment

Youngsters will be able to do more climbing and even make some music when renovations are completed at Orange Township's Ro Park, 6804 Snapdragon Way.

Crews with Midstates Recreation of Pataskala were at work May 9, installing a rubberized surface under a 3D array of climbing ropes inside a geodesic frame that's the main feature among additions at the park.

Also new are a xylophone, with striking hammers attached by cable, metal drums and chimes, all of which can be played, said Alex Rozanski, township project manager.

The park is closed until the renovation is completed, which will be announced on the township's Facebook page, he said.

Ro Park's earlier climbing features – one for those up to age 5 and a taller one for up to age 12 – remain on the site, Rozanski said.

When the park is reopened, it will have a combination of active, passive and sensory components – all meeting safety standards – for children of all developmental levels, he said.

"The ability to climb, explore, spin and be a kid is well represented in this playground expansion," said Carolina Flynn, township events and communications coordinator. "Inclusive play was a priority of this expansion and is reflected in the play components."

The Ro Park improvements are among a number of upgrades conducted to township parks in recent years, all funded by the township's 1-mill parks levy that will be up for renewal in November, Rozanski said.

The Ro Park playground expansion and resurfacing cost about 383,000, Flynn said. An improved safety surface also was added recently at Walker Woods Park, 7770 Walker Wood Blvd., costing about $48,000, she said.

The township's parks include North Orange Park at 7560 Gooding Blvd., also site of North Orange Aquatic Center, the township's swimming pool.

Orange's other parks are Glen Oak, 7126 Blue Holly Drive; North Road Park, 5864 North Road; Township Hall Park, 1680 E. Orange Road; and Orange Bridge Park, 7079 Emil’s Way.

The township also has 18 miles of walking and cycling trails – the most recent additions completed in 2019 and 2021 – and the parks have a combined seven soccer fields and a cricket pitch, among their other features, Flynn said.

One of the programs using Orange Township parks is Olentangy United FC (football club), said president and managing director J.D. Hartwell.

The nonprofit soccer program has more than 500 players – boys and girls ages 8 to 18 – and 30 coaches, including Hartwell, with most of them living in Orange Township, he said.

The club's 38 teams have spring and summer competitive programs and a summer recreation league, he said, all active at North Road and Glen Oaks parks, Hartwell said.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the (parks') infrastructure in terms of parking and open grass field space provided by Orange Township at both of those locations," Hartwell said. "We have a great relationship with the township maintenance department, who communicate with us regularly on whether the fields or parks are closed for the day due to inclement weather or poor field conditions, such as excessive rain. …

"(Township director of operations) Silas Bowers has been incredibly professional, kind and helpful in listening to any concerns or issues that we may have and addressing those in a timely and professional manner."

Mike Kelly, the township's manager of parks maintenance and facilities, said the township crew frequently receives positive feedback from those using the parks and trails.

"We'll see someone, and they'll thank us for what we're doing. A lot of people really enjoy the trail system," Kelly said.

Flynn said the township parks maintenance and facilities staff have three full-time workers and one part-timer. The township also has a public-works department, handling any needed road projects and maintenance, as well as maintaining two township-operated cemeteries.

Rozanski said the township expects to complete a master plan on future parks development this year.

Kelly said other short-range improvements have occurred, including a new playground surface and other improvements at North Orange Park. Work scheduled this year will include a new concrete deck area and an improved entrance at the North Orange pool, he said.

Thus far this spring, the pool has sold nearly 2,500 memberships, a number that exceeds 2021, Flynn said.

More about Olentangy United FC is available at olentangyunitedfc.com. Hartwell said the club is holding tryouts until early June.

A map of Orange Township trails is at tinyurl.com/y5486fr2.

For more on the township parks, go to orangetwp.org/departments/parks/.

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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Orange Township: 'Inclusive play' playground equipment installed at Ro Park