by Elka Worner
“This is so fun,” screeched the preschooler, gliding through the air on a new swing at the official unveiling of a long-awaited $3 million playground at Polliwog Park.
“This is an exciting day for Manhattan Beach!” Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery said at the Sept. 26 event. “This playground has been a beloved part of Polliwog Park for 50 years.”
Magic Rainbow preschoolers sat patiently through the ribbon cutting and speeches before they were set free to run, jump, climb, swing, and hang on the new play swings, galleon, tree house and climbing equipment.
“This is one of the fun parts of my job. One where we get to see the fruits of our labor and the tangible benefits the city brings to the community,” City Manager Bruce Moe said at the ceremony. “Today is particularly special because it brings joy to some of our youngest residents.”
The new playground includes 4,000 square feet of new turf with soft flooring, more than 500 new plants and eight new shade trees.
Moe said there were plenty of unexpected delays since the city began the playground project in 2018. “The equipment from the Czech Republic was delayed because of the Ukraine war,” he said. The pandemic was also a factor in stalling construction. In August, the heavy rains from Hurricane Hilary left the entire playground underwater.
Since Polliwog Park is a natural water retention basin, the new play equipment was designed and engineered to drain quickly. The double dipped galvanized steel is resilient enough to withstand the salty marine air and can withstand being submerged throughout the year.
None of that mattered to the kids who came to play and explore.
Four-year-old Harper Ho, of Hawthorne, climbed the rope wall and smiled triumphantly as he reached the other side. “I did it,” he said.
“I like the pirate ship,” an excited 5-year-old boy said.
Councilmember Joe Franklin, whose children played on the old pirate ship, said the new park is perfect for children.
“It’s got everything you want in a park,” Franklin said. “I can let my three grandchildren loose in here while I sit on a bench and watch.”
The new ADA compliant playground was funded by state and country grants and $2 million from the city’s Capital Improvement Project Fund.
