It was fitting in so many ways.
Because Friday afternoon at the West Cadiz Park, children paid no mind to the adults speaking at the podium, and instead raced and roared and rolled all over the new playground equipment — finally opened to the public after months of construction and renovation made possible by Cadiz-Trigg County Parks and Recreation, and so many others at the table.
Long gone is the troublesome sand, a safe, recycled rubber turf in its place.
There are new swings, new slides, and new interactive toys — like a matching game, a drum set and a large xylophone.
There’s a handicap-accessible merry-go-round, too, as well as a group rocker, and a few short climbing walls.
But most importantly, there is a safe inclusive space for play — something the community has long needed as a part of its growth profile.
Not counting in-kind donations of time and supplies, it cost more than $300,000 to complete — most of that coming in grant form.
Cadiz Mayor Todd King said he was overwhelmed when he first saw it.
Jeff Hunter, director of Cadiz-Trigg County Parks & Recreation, said he was more than pleased to see a build for all abilities.
Kayl Kite, Lake Barkley manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said West Cadiz Park continues to be one of the larger, nicer spaces operated in this corridor.
As such, he said the property gets so much use — be it for playing, fishing or walking — and a project like this requires considerable planning and consideration.
Ashley Joiner, past president of the Cadiz Rotary Club, said it was a “unanimous vote” for their organization to assist in the endeavor, while Parks & Recreation board member and Magistrate Mike Wright made mention of those cute interruptions.
As Cadiz-Trigg County Tourism Director and a former educator, Beth Sumner called the moment heartwarming.
Shovels went in the ground this past November, and King said officials from the City of Hopkinsville have already been in town to review the site.
