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Florence, AZ – The Town of Florence is excited to announce the Grand Reopening of the Heritage Park Playgrounds, a celebration of fun, inclusion, and community spirit. Join us on January 11, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 600 N. Main Street to celebrate this exciting occasion.

Guests attending the celebration will enjoy free hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and water courtesy of Ma’s Kitchen, as well as yard games, make-it/take-it crafts, a balloon artist, and a selfie station sponsored by Florence Copper. The event will also feature resource vendors, such as Victory Autism Academy, highlighting Florence’s designation as a Certified Autism Center.

Mayor Keith Eaton expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its profound impact on the community. “These playgrounds represent more than just a recreation improvement—it’s a symbol of our community’s commitment to compassion,” he shared. “As a parent of a child with special needs, I know firsthand the joy and relief that inclusive spaces like this bring to families. Today, we break barriers, create connections, and celebrate a brighter future for everyone.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will also include remarks from Town Manager Bruce Walls and Florence Copper’s General Manager, John Mays.

The new playgrounds feature modern, fully ADA-compliant equipment designed to provide fun and inclusive spaces for children of all abilities. Among the highlights is the “Quiet Grove,” a peaceful retreat designed to reduce sensory overload and provide children with a calming space to refocus and relax. The equipment also introduces exciting new components for kids aged 2-5 and 5-12, including wheelchair-accessible ramps, sensory panels, an ADA swing, roller slides, and increased climbers, activity panels, and ground-level features.

These playground transformations were made possible by the Town Council’s approval of a $250,000 project budget, later supplemented by a generous $50,000 contribution from Florence Copper, which allowed the town to expand the playground’s inclusive features. Additionally, $69,978 in Community Development Block Grant funding is supporting the installation of pour-in-place rubber surfacing around the playgrounds for enhanced safety and accessibility.

We hope you’ll join us on January 11 to check out the new equipment and experience the new playgrounds in action! For questions or more information about this event, call the Florence Community Services Department at (520) 868-7040 or visit our event page: https://bit.ly/3Pgxucr.