Kid stuff: Playground additions sought for Naval Park, Port Royal farmer's market

Children could soon have something new to capture their attention while their parents browse the Port Royal Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.

The town is poised to build a new playground in Naval Heritage Park as early as the end of the year. The new equipment will be designed for ages 3 to 12, giving smaller children something to do other than the skate park.

"Especially on a Saturday, when many people come," said Jane Abrams, chairwoman of Port Royal's Parks and Recreation Commission. "There really is nothing for people under 12 to play on. We thought it would be a good addition to have a playground."

The commission has met with two of the companies considered for the project, armed with a budget of $25,000. The panel will meet again in September to decide the design it likes and make a recommendation to town council.

Churchich Recreation and Design, based in Bluffton, has produced a concept that includes swingsets, a slide, climbing wall and other equipment to climb on. The company has provided equipment for Beaufort County schools and other projects throughout the area, vice president Jeff Churchich said.

"They wanted to do some things that were a little bit different than what kids see at the normal school playgrounds," Churchich said. "With the budget in mind, we tried to put together a lot of different opportunities for the kids to have some movement and some challenging things they can get pretty good bang for their buck."

Philip Pinckney, owner of Just for Fun Playgrounds near Charleston, met with the town's commission Tuesday and discussed a replica of a 16th-century Spanish galleon that would incorporate swings and play equipment. Pinckney said a shrimp boat had been discussed but that the galleon, an old square-rigged ship, is unique and reflects the area's history.

Pinckney's work includes playgrounds for Fripp Island, Beaufort Academy and various churches and parks in Beaufort County.

"They wanted something that was absolutely original," Pinckney said. "As far as I know, there is nothing quite like this in our area."

Abrams said she is concerned with vandalism. The park doesn't have neighbors to keep an eye on it throughout the day, she said.

But Abrams and farmers market manager Kit Bruce said the playground could bring families to the park throughout the week and discourage trouble. Before picnic tables in the park were anchored to the ground, skateboarders would move the tables around and a couple were stolen, Bruce said.

She added that the list of instances in the market's nine years is short.

"It was irritating, but not that big a deal," she said.

Bruce also hopes to add exercise equipment along the paved paths in the park. The idea was inspired by Eagle Scout Kevin Green,who plans to build an exercise station on the Spanish Moss Trail off Westvine Drive in Port Royal.

Bruce said she has considered fundraising events like a 1-kilometer walk and barbecue as possibilities to fund the project.

She said she remembers growing up in Charleston and visiting the Battery with other children her age, playing on what was available. Other times in the city's Hampton Park, kids threw a football or Frisbee.

She tries to encourage similar activities during the farmers market but said the additions would drive activity.

"People know of it now because of the farmers market and because of the skateboard park," Bruce said. "But there is nothing else to do there. It's a nice park. It could be a great community spot."

Follow reporter Stephen Fastenau on Twitter at twitter.com/IPBG_Stephen.

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• Farmers markets in Beaufort County brighten summer days , July 8, 2015
• Farmers market opens in Port Royal , May 20, 2004

This story was originally published August 26, 2015 at 11:28 AM with the headline "Kid stuff: Playground additions sought for Naval Park, Port Royal farmer's market."