A new Toddler Park opened in Shenandoah June 30.[/caption]

The city of Shenandoah opened a half-acre Toddler Park on June 30 at 315 Shenandoah Drive, the former site of the city’s first water plant.

The Toddler Park, originally referred to as Water Tank Park, was first planned in 2007 as part of Shenandoah’s park and pathway master plan. The water plant was decommissioned in 2015 to prepare for park construction.

“It is a great location that gives the smaller kids a specialized place for play,” City Administrator Greg Smith said. “That’s probably one of the biggest benefits of this park because we’ve isolated the little kids in a place designated for them to play without having to have all the other aspects of a full park.”

Specifically designed for children ages 6 years old and younger, the Toddler Park features a swing set, two spring riders, a simulated rock climbing wall, and playground equipment with a tube and a slide. The park also boasts benches, picnic tables and open green space with two hills. The park is bordered by a walking trail and various plant life and shrubbery along the perimeter that serves as a park barrier without the need for a fence.

The swing set is designed to look like water pipes to pay homage to the site’s original use. In addition, a sign will be placed on the property to recognize the original founders of Shenandoah.

Although nothing has been formalized, Smith said there are at least two more parks in conceptual phases planned for Shenandoah on land the city already owns—one lot on the east side of I-45 and one on the west side.

The official grand opening of the Toddler Park will be July 16 during which the city’s founders and original residents will be honored at Shenandoah’s inaugural Founders Day Celebration.

“We want to try to recognize and acknowledge the individuals that were here back when Shenandoah was first created,” Smith said. “We’ll see what interest we get from the community and go from there. Since this is the original site of the water plant, we thought there couldn’t be a better place to do a founders celebration [than the Toddler Park.]”