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Whimsical toddler playground at Orem’s Scera Park now open for play

By Genelle Pugmire - | Aug 12, 2022
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Themed after fantasy art by James C. Christensen, the new toddler playground at Orem's Scera Park is now open.
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The north playground at Orem's Scera Park, open now, is for toddler-age play.
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Orem's new toddler playground at Scera Park features canopied play areas and plenty of seating for parents.

It has been nearly a year since the City of Orem closed the north playground at Scera Park. The aging play place was becoming too dangerous for children.

After shutting down early and then having to wait for the various parts and pieces to make it through the supply chain, the new playground has been on hiatus.

Now, according to Reed Price, assistant director of public works, the time has come and little ones can once again enjoy the new amenities the park has to offer.

The playground is themed around the fantasy art of James C. Christensen and features a dragon, mushrooms and other crawling and climbing places.

“The playground is for children 5 years and younger and is focused for toddler play,” Price said.

Price noted that at the time things were ordered, the city was still separating different areas by districts, with the park and playground located in the arts district, thus why the fantasy artist’s theme was picked.

The playground was installed on the same footprint as the old playground and features new equipment plus soft wood chips for the floor of the playing area.

Scera Park has two playgrounds, the north playground for toddlers and the south playground, which is more for elementary-age children.

In recent polls taken by the city, responses indicated residents would like to see about 40% of playgrounds designed for toddlers. They also want old play areas upgraded.

“Most playgrounds are 20-25 years old,” Price said. He added there are a number of scheduled projects to make improvements, but the city has 24 parks and it may take a few years.

The Scera playground like others in the city is being funded to the tune of $275,000 from the Orem CARE tax. “This is a perfect use of the CARE tax money,” Price said.

Scera Park, located at 645 S. State St. with an east entrance at 600 S. 400 East, is the largest park in the city at 24-plus acres. It features the two playgrounds, the Scera Shell Outdoor Theater, a disc golf course, walking paths, large and small pavilions, and the Scera swimming pools. Like most parks in the city, Wi-Fi service is provided.

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