The City of Suwanee has officially swung open the gates to the newly revamped PlayTown Suwanee, a community treasure and playground designed with inclusivity and sustainability at its core. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on June 1, 2024, marking the culmination of an extensive transformation from the original playground established in 2004. Backed by Primerica, a notable sponsor, the initiative embodies a communal effort to enrich the lives of Suwanee’s younger residents, as reported by the city's official announcement.

With 20 years under its belt, the beloved playground underwent a necessary overhaul due to aging wooden structures. Primerica's EVP, Chair of The Primerica Foundation, and Chief Reputation Officer Kathryn Kieser emphasized the company's partnership role in the venture, “The City of Suwanee has created an environment where children of all abilities can play side-by-side, and Primerica is proud to be a part of the effort aimed at building a stronger community,” according to the city's statement. Over 1,200 individuals from various walks of life including, parents, city staff, and civic groups, joined hands in Fall 2023 to construct what is now recognized as an embodiment of community spirit and forward-thinking design.

This fresh incarnation of PlayTown Suwanee spans 13,000 square feet and boasts amenities meticulously designed to accommodate children of varying ages and abilities. Perhaps the most notable feature is the deliberate use of recycled plastics, repurposing over 1 million milk jugs, as a nod towards sustainable construction practices. The playground not only features distinct areas for toddlers and older children, but also creative ventures like a dinosaur fossil excavation area and a lighted pavilion catering to wheelchair users.

Moreover, the playground’s aesthetics benefitted from the creative flair of high school artists and students from Suwanee Youth Leaders (SYL), who contributed design elements, “I truly loved the way the community came together to rebuild this park, impacting the future generations of Suwanee,” PlayTown Committee Member and an art teacher at North Gwinnett High School, Alexandra Sorto told the city in a statement. Emphasizing user accessibility, features like a first-floor continuous loop design allow children using wheelchairs to play independently alongside their peers.

During the opening event, PlayTown's legacy and future were highlighted by Committee Build Captains Colette Grodzicki and Zach Whigham, who recapped its inspiring journey. The celebration was run by Suwanee's Mayor Pro Tem Beth Hilscher and also gave nods to Suwanee Public Works staff, Suwanee Youth Leaders, and Kiwanis for their contributions to the community project. The rejuvenated PlayTown Suwanee now stands, not just as a playground, but as tangible proof of what a community can achieve when unified by a common goal – to create a space where play has no limitations. For more information about PlayTown Suwanee, interested parties can reach out to Communications & Marketing Manager Bonnie Simmons.