top of page
Blue Sky Background

RIDGE RUNNER FUN ZONE

1780 Stadium Dr     304-325-5707 ext. 1

The Ridge Runner Fun Zone Playground

Completed in August 2024, the Ridge Runner Fun Zone Playground replaced the much beloved but outdated Yakkity Yak playground at Bluefield City Park. It was designed specifically to capture the theme of Bluefield’s railroad legacy, and its name was drawn from the name of the park's Ridge Runner train. The playground was built to include a variety of features for accessibility to all ages and abilities.

 

The design team, led by Cunningham Recreation Project Manager Mitch Reno, put together a complete, research-based playground design that is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, inclusive, multi-generational, and sensory filled. This train-themed playground features a GT PowerScape play structure with a Train Spring Rider, Merry Go All, Sensory Wave Seat, Sensory Cove Climber, ShadowPlay Sky Runner, PrimeTime Swings and Expression Swings, and is completed with integrated shade, benches, and custom Poured-in-Place safety surfacing. The playground also includes a 40-yard dash equipped with an automatic precision timing system, so runners can test their speed and see their results instantly.​​​​​

Award Winning

The Ridge Runner Fun Zone Playground was the recipient of the James L. McClelland Public Parks and Recreation Facility Award at the 2024 West Virginia Parks and Recreation Association conference!

Fun Zone Playground_edited.png

Bluefield Parks and Recreation's Event Coordinator Justin Hawkins, Marketing Specialist Marianne Boothe, & Director Rick Showalter

"We are honored to receive the James L. McClelland Public Parks and Recreation Facility Award at this year’s West Virginia Parks and Recreation Association (WVPRA) conference for the Ridge Runner Fun Zone Playground. In our presentation, we highlighted all of the accessibility features that make this playground enjoyable for users of all ages and abilities because that was our priority when working with the playground's design team. We want to thank everyone who was involved in the process of creating this project, and we want to thank the Bluefield community for supporting this idea and utilizing the playground. Turning this concept into a reality was possible because of teamwork, and we will continue to work together toward creating spaces that enrich lives and foster a strong, healthy community."
- The City of Bluefield Parks and Recreation

bottom of page