Caruth Park Playground Reels in Area Small Fry

Even before the official ribbon cutting, the new Caruth Park playground began making a splash with local playgoers.

Young explorers climbed to the top of the playground’s mega-sized fish, and jumped, hopped, and slid on the other nature-themed attractions.

Six-year-old Trace Clift gave the playground a thumbs up. In his opinion, its best features were the obstacles, which include a bridge and logs.

“They’re hard and challenging, and I like that,” he said. Trace’s brother, 3-year-old William, said his favorite part of the playground was the giant fish.

The opening ceremony included remarks from University Park staffers and Landscape Structures, along with a ribbon cutting by Mayor Tommy Stewart.

“This is where it all begins,” parks director Sean Johnson said. “It all begins on playgrounds. You meet your best friends, you learn how to compete.”

Johnson explained that four potential playground options were considered by the city. The fishy design rose to the top based on a community vote.

But the ceremony was short, and Johnson didn’t keep the city’s “official clients” waiting for long.

“We appreciate you all weighing in and giving us your opinion on what would be the ideal playground for this park. We’re excited about it,” he said. “So we will get out of the way and let the kids take over and do what they do.”