An official celebration to dedicate a new playground at University City’s Flynn Park will be held at 5 p.m. today (Oct. 14). This fun-filled event will include music, donor appreciation, food trucks and much more.

The new playground, which adjoins Flynn Park Elementary School, is the result of a planning and funding effort involving the University City community from school children and parents to the School District of University City and City of University City staff. 

To help offset a $230,000 grant from the St. Louis County Municipal League, the Flynn Park community raised over $39,000 in funds for the equipment. The University City Parks Foundation, Woods Family Foundation and Washington University-St. Louis also kicked in funding for the important park asset, and in-kind donations were received from Momentum Worldwide. 

Some of the most enthusiastic fundraisers were the project’s primary benefactors — the school children. In April 2011, hundreds of Flynn Park neighborhood youth set up lemonade stands around the City in a “Take a Stand for Play” event. 

The new playground design was driven by a significant public engagement process, which resulted in new ADA accessible swings, safety surfaces, additional seating areas, and other unique features. Future plans for the playground area include a learning garden for elementary students, a coordinated effort with U. City in Bloom and the school district.