Laughter returned to Putnam Park this weekend as Atlantic Beach celebrated the grand reopening of its newly renovated playground, a yearlong community project that village leaders say represents far more than new swings and slides.
Residents gathered on July 5 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the state-of-the-art playground, followed by a community celebration sponsored by the Friends of the Village of Atlantic Beach, a nonprofit that funded much of the project. Families also enjoyed treats from a Hewlee ice cream truck later in the day.
The renovation transformed what had become an aging, unusable playground into a modern, ADA-accessible destination designed to serve children for generations.
“This is one of the many projects we’ve needed to work on,” Mayor Barry Frohlinger said. “We’re so grateful that this came together the way it did. It really is quite amazing.”
Planning for the project began shortly after the current village administration took office last summer. Frohlinger credited Trustee Laura Heller, the Village Board, the Department of Public Works, local beach clubs, nearby condominium residents and approximately 80 village families whose donations helped make the project possible.
“We really view this as a public-private partnership,” Frohlinger said. “The board, residents, businesses and volunteers all came together to create something that benefits the entire community. It’s a great model for future projects.”
The redesigned park features separate play areas for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, a six-seat swing set, climbing structures, slides, interactive play equipment, a musical drum feature and a fire truck-themed play element honoring the Atlantic Beach Rescue Department.
The playground also includes a poured rubber safety surface that is fully ADA accessible, new fencing, retaining walls, landscaping, bicycle racks and engraved commemorative pavers recognizing many of the families who contributed to the fundraising effort.
Frohlinger said the village selected equipment specifically designed to withstand the challenges of Atlantic Beach’s coastal environment, including salt air, sand, sun and wind.
“We had the time to design it correctly,” he said. “Everybody put their minds together, and I think we ended up with the best of the best.”
Heller said the project would not have been possible without the Friends of the Village of Atlantic Beach, whose fundraising campaign brought together residents and local businesses to finance the improvements at a time when the village faced financial constraints.
“The village simply couldn’t afford to replace the playground on its own,” Heller said. “The outpouring of support from the community was phenomenal.”
The original playground had fallen into disrepair and could not have safely reopened this summer without major renovations, Heller said.
Now, she hopes the park becomes a gathering place where children create lasting memories and neighbors strengthen community bonds.
“I’m so happy for the village,” she said. “It’s a shining moment to have such a beautiful improvement that everyone can enjoy together.”
The Playground Committee Chair said the project demonstrates what can be accomplished when a community rallies around a common goal.
“This playground is the result of a true community effort,” the chair wrote in a statement. “A playground is much more than a place to play — it’s where children make friends, parents connect and families spend time together.”
In an era when children spend increasing amounts of time on screens, the chair added, investing in inviting outdoor spaces is an investment in the future.
“By building this playground,” she said, “we’ve strengthened our community.”
