Major upgrades to two Port St. Lucie parks encourage everyone to join in the fun

Residents will soon enjoy new inclusive playgrounds at Jessica Clinton Park and Whispering Pines Park. Additionally, a new outdoor fitness site will be part of Whispering Pines, a one-of-a-kind space for activity and gathering for everyone to enjoy.

Designed to be inclusive playgrounds, Whispering Pines and Jessica Clinton Parks ensure physical and social inclusion where everyone can play together.

Jessica Clinton Park- 3200 Southbend Blvd.

Jessica Clinton Park's playground replacement project will begin construction in June and is expected to be completed in August. The playground is designed using Universal Design Principles, which support the health and development of children of all abilities. The 20-acre park's playground features a universal carousel, basket swings, a large seesaw with bright colors, hearts and cheer themes that are accessible to children with mobility disabilities, creating an inclusive atmosphere.

For children ages 2-5, the playground features a colorful and geometric structure that provides agile and exploratory activities to enhance children's social development. For children ages 5-12, the larger structure features the universal carousel, a modern interpretation of a classic playground carousel but with ground-level access. While facing each other, this playing piece invites all children, including those with a wheelchair, to spin and enjoy the ride.

The upgraded playground also features ground-level activities that provide active, social, and inclusive opportunities, such as the xylophone, the net and the crawl-through tube. The large messages of positive affirmations and sign language will welcome children and their families to honor the memory of Jessica Clinton and promote the powerful message of inclusion and health.

Whispering Pines Park - 800 SW Darwin Blvd.

The existing playground will be closed starting in August. The project is expected to be completed in December. Residents will enjoy Whispering Pines Park's state-of-the-art fitness site and adjustable resistance equipment for all fitness levels. The cross system's innovative design lets visitors access a QR code, see their results and understand how all fitness pieces can contribute to their fitness goals.

"Whispering Pines and Jessica Clinton Parks are excellent examples of the high-quality recreation parks and social spaces that every neighborhood needs to promote overall physical health," says Mike Kendrick, Deputy Director - Parks and Recreation. "The variety of experiences will have a powerful effect on community participation and well-being for all to enjoy."

Built in 1992, after 31 years, Whispering Pines Park, a 37-acre park, will include a playground with various accessible features for people of all abilities. The unique playground has play features such as swings, slides, spinners, climbing and balancing. The giant rope climbing dome, a rhombus spinner and a cliff rider can be both active and free play for tweens and young teens.

The upgrades include a universal carousel, a fun spinning activity that enables persons with wheelchairs to enjoy spinning with other children without being isolated by equipment. Similarly, the basket swings are swings that all children can use.

To learn more and view a video rendering of the new playground, visit Jessica Clinton Park and Whispering Pines Park and its outdoor fitness amenities.

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