After much anticipation, progress is finally underway at Allen Park! Ground was broken last week on the park’s long-awaited upgrade, and the community response has been overwhelmingly positive.

The first set of new playground equipment has already been installed, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the day—and even into the night—to get it ready for local kids to enjoy. Event coordinator Lorissa King, along with Corby King, Derek Prentice, Josh Marshall, Larry Skelton, and Heather Prentice, brought out heavy equipment, shovels, levels, and tools to complete the job.

This first playset was generously donated by Buffalo Construction. While in town repairing hail damage to municipal buildings, the company recognized the community’s need and offered to purchase the unit. Additional playground equipment has also been acquired through TSET grant funding. Although this equipment is used and requires some repairs before installation, it will soon be added to the new play area.

Previously, the park’s playground was located on the lower south side, near a creek and in a dimly lit area. For safety and accessibiliby ty, the new equipment is being installed on the north side of the park, where there’s more open space, nearby shade trees, and better visibility. Some of the older equipment will be refurbished and relocated to the new area after receiving necessary repairs and a fresh coat of paint.

Lorissa King, chair of the Park Committee, has big dreams for revitalizing Allen’s park. She recently launched a Facebook group called “Meet Me at the Park – Allen” to help families connect and make the park a hub for fun and community events.

“This group is for families who want to see kids playing, laughing, and making friends right here in our community,” Lorissa shared. “Whether it’s a casual playdate, a Saturday morning activity, or even a place to plan parties and special events—we want to bring families together and make the park a fun, active space for everyone.”

Community support is already rolling in. Volunteers are stepping up, and next steps include adding benches, ground covering, and possibly a shade structure over the playground.

A Toy Library is also in the works. It will house balls, frisbees, sand toys, trucks, and other fun items for kids to borrow and enjoy while at the park. Visitors are asked to return toys to the library before leaving so others can use them too.

Security cameras are in place at the park, but vandalism remains a concern. If you see any damage or suspicious behavior, please report it. The city is also exploring ways to keep the bathrooms open while preventing misuse.

This exciting transformation needs the entire community’s support. If you’d like to help, visit the park’s Amazon Wishlist to purchase items, or volunteer your skills— whether that’s painting, landscaping, electrical work, or simply sharing a great idea. Reach out to Lorissa through Facebook or contact City Hall to get connected and get involved.

The park flyer has qr codes that will lead you to the Facebook page and the Amazon wish list.

Let’s work together to make Allen Park a place where every family can gather, play, and make lasting memories.