LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Isabel Sosa,

LAREDO, TX— The City of Laredo Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony to introduce the completion of Phase I of the North Central Park ADA Playground on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The new playground area is adjacent to the Trail Head at North Central Park and its extension is just under 3 acres. The “Salamander” playground will be a place that will allow all children to enjoy a wide variety of features accessible to all.

This project will include several accessibility stations of discovery in addition to the playground and will also have canopies and benches for visitors; additionally, the area will be supplied with the needed trash cans, trees, irrigation, and 38 new parking lot spaces plus 5 ADA parking slots. The purpose of the salamander being integral in the design is that the salamander is adaptive which is inherent for those with special needs. The playground includes a custom play unit with slides, wheel-chair ramps, sensory equipment, an inclusive swing set for ages 2-5, another for ages 5-12, a team swing seat, and a wheelchair swing. A merry-go-round, moon crater climber, MEMO (an interactive activity zone), benches, and trash receptacles, and is now fully shaded.

The ADA Playground Project sits in District 6 and was initiated by former Council Member Dr. Marte Martinez with the support and monetary donations of several community partners, including a $300,000 donation from Mr. Robert P. Gutierrez and authorized by City Council back on June 21, 2021. The overall investment for this first phase is $1.1 million. The current Council Member in District 6, Dr. Tyler King, proudly recognized the arduous work that many entities have placed in the completion of this project.

During Dr. Martinez’s tenure, he was approached by members of the United Independent School District presenting an idea that arose from Trautmann Middle School students that participated in a robotics club at the time. The students, Kiara Ramon Lozano, Victoria Reyes, Ariana Maldonado, and Daniela Garza, implemented an assignment for their club and transformed it into a local community project. Ms. Lozano, a student now from Alexander High School, shared the process of their initiative and expressed that when they brought up the important need for recreational space for individuals with special needs, they did not imagine the impact that it would have and how far it would reach.

The students were able to start raising funds from their fellow students and contributed to the fulfillment of this project. Additionally, one of their mentors, Mr. Gilbert Moreno, Principal at Trautmann M.S., was proud of the way these young members of the robotics club showed their determination, aspirations, advocation, and leadership skills at such a young age, for their family members, friends, and general community with special needs.

Lastly, Mr. Robert P. Gutierrez disclosed the names of two beloved community members, Mr. Oscar and Patricia Zuñiga, to whom this space is dedicated. Family members of Mr. & Mrs. Zuniga were present at this ribbon-cutting event and were honored to see their parents’ names on a plaque at the entrance of the playground area.