Creamery Park reopens after renovations

(6/15) After many months of planning, design, and construction, the new-and-improved Creamery Park is now officially open to the public. In addition to its "soft" opening on June 13, the Town will soon be hosting a "grand" opening and ribbon cutting at the park, pending the installation of new park signs and several new benches. For now, residents can utilize brand-new playground equipment and a fresh basketball court and sidewalk.

Located across from the Walkersville Public Library, Creamery Park has been around for nearly 35 years. Featuring a playground and basketball court, the park has been utilized extensively by the surrounding community, not only for recreation but also for town events like the annual tree lighting ceremony. As Walkersville has grown, aging equipment and facilities in the park have experienced increased wear and tear, making the park a topic of discussion at numerous town meetings over the years.

Last year, the parks commission proposed a complete renovation of the park, citing its popularity within the neighborhood and with visitors of the Walkersville Library, which was rebuilt only five years ago in 2018. Commissioners unanimously agreed that a restoration was much needed for both practicality and town aesthetic.

In July 2022, the Town Council approved a $325,000 bid from Cunningham Recreation to construct new playground equipment focused on accessibility, which has become a growing interest as the Town seeks to continue with playground renovations in other parks like Heritage Farm. The chosen Cunningham Recreation playground design contains a number of inclusive and ADA-compliant elements such as Poured in Place, a rubber mat-like material that allows wheelchair-bound and limited-mobility users access to playground equipment.

In addition, the playground features a "Merry-Go-All," a merry-go-round with space for seated and standing passengers. Because of the backed seats, users are easily able to transfer from a wheelchair or other mobility aid to the equipment. At least one "Zero-G" swing is also available, utilizing a similar backed seat design as well as a brace that acts as a seatbelt.

Commissioner Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis, who has been a driving force in the Creamery Park project, expressed her excitement at the park’s completion during June 14’s Town Council meeting, stating that "everything in that park is going to be used."

Brodie-Ennis has additionally remained an impressive advocate for town residents seeking both accessibility and acknowledgement, as several families have expressed wishes to commemorate loved ones within the renovated Creamery Park. A memorial bench was already installed in April to honor 15-year-old Nikole Cynthia Morfessis, who was struck by a tractor-trailer in April 2022. Brodie-Ennis has also expressed hopes that the park will honor the Coleman family, who lost their 21-year-old son Matthew in a bungee-jumping accident in 2000. The Coleman family, who has long supported students through the Community Foundation, has donated the remaining money in the fund to support Creamery Park.

Families interested in attending the grand opening of the park should watch the Town’s website for more information.