 |  | | Play and explore at Franklin Park Zoo's playground!
 Whether riding on a Panamanian golden frog inspired spring rocker, sliding down a tube slide that replicates the look of a giraffe or climbing on a structure with the colors of a peacock, children visiting Franklin Park Zoo have the opportunity to let their imaginations run wild as they play on the new 10,000-square-foot state-of-the-art playground
The new playground was made possible by the Play 2 Dream Foundation. The Play 2 Dream Foundation is dedicated to supporting children in being healthy and happy, letting kids be kids by having fun in a healthy environment, which includes doing fitness activity through free spontaneous play. The fitness challenges from the different options and taller heights of play equipment allow children to develop flexibility, cardiovascular health, and upper body, back, arm and leg strength, while building coordination, balance and endurance.
The interactive units of the playground structure promote positive social interaction and negotiating skills.
The playground is constructed on a rubberized surface to make it as safe and accessible as possible for all children. The clever design draws inspiration from the Zoo with more than 65 animals directly represented within the design.
Because this is a dedicated play space for children, it was only fitting that children were the first to vote on the various play structures and elements. Children from local schools had the opportunity to vote on which elements they liked best. Additionally, great care was taken to ensure that the playground will be a welcoming space for children of all ages and abilities. During the design phase, input was received from both educators and parents of special needs children.
The playground, built on the site of the old playground next to Butterfly Landing, features a variety of slides and climbers of varying heights and challenges, several cognitive interactive play panels, lots of swings and individual riders, as well as shaded areas, benches and picnic tables for parents.
The new playground increases the playground space at the Zoo by about 5,500-square-feet and dramatically increases the capacity for the number of children who can utilize the space together at one time. John Hollerbach of Creative Recreation, a representative for Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, designed the new playground.
The Play 2 Dream Foundation has also built the newly-renovated playground at the Tiffany Moore Tot Lot and the El Parquesito de Hermandad.
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