EPHRATA – Lions Park will be closed to the public beginning Wednesday, as the City of Ephrata Public Works Department prepares for the installation of brand-new playground equipment and related site improvements. The anticipated closure will remain in effect through the end of the year, with the possibility of extending into early January, contingent upon weather conditions and the pace of construction. 

This closure comes as part of an extensive effort to enhance recreational facilities in Ephrata and provide children with upgraded play options. The current playground equipment at Lions Park, according to Josh Johnson, the Parks and Recreation Director, has not seen significant updates in nearly two decades. Johnson said these improvements were necessary, as the existing facilities primarily cater to toddlers aged 2 to 5, leaving older children without adequate play opportunities. 

“It’s a lot of kids that go down there, either toddlers or kids aged 5 to 12,” Johnson said. “The current structure isn’t geared towards the older demographic, which is a big group of kids that frequent the park.”  

In response to this gap, the Parks and Recreation Department has initiated a project aimed at creating a more inclusive playground environment. 

With a budget of nearly $118,000 allocated for the new playground equipment, a significant portion will be funded through park impact fees collected from developers.  

“We budgeted $70,000 for this renovation, and the remaining balance of $47,569.74 will be sourced from park impact fees,” Johnson said.   

These fees are charged to developers when they acquire land in the city, essentially designed to enhance public recreational spaces as urban development progresses. 

In light of community needs, the new playground will feature a large structure tailored for children aged 5 to 12, designed to offer diverse play functions and features that cater to the interests of older children.  

Additionally, a separate play area will be established for younger toddlers aged 6 months to 23 months, ensuring an engaging and safe environment for all age groups. 

Ray Towry, the Ephrata city administrator, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming project.  

“We are excited to get it going, weather permitting,” Towry said. “We hope to get it open to people as soon as possible. We haven’t done new playground equipment in a long time.”  

He said the last significant upgrade occurred in partnership with the Ephrata School District at Columbia Ridge, where the city assisted in securing grant funding for park enhancements. 

Towry said he recognizes the challenges faced by the city in pursuing further upgrades, citing funding limitations.  

“We are hopeful to continue making park improvements, and that is one of the areas we hope to work towards in the future. We are just limited by funding. We just don’t have the tax base because of the lack of industry in our community,” he said. 

However, the city recently signed an interlocal agreement for an economic grant, which the two entities will use to bring in additional industry to the port. More information about this can be read here: bit.ly/PortandCity.