ANAHEIM, Calif. (June 21, 2022) — The kids and families around Anaheim’s Rio Vista Park are getting a new play area complete with a zip line, swing set, slides, climbing wall and other fun features based on what neighborhood kids and parents designed for their park.
More than 125 volunteers from the Orange County operations of biopharmaceutical company AbbVie, Anaheim Family YMCA, the city of Anaheim, the community and playground nonprofit Kaboom! will build the play area on Thursday, June 30.
The new play area is based on what kids and parents wanted to see in their park. Their top request: A zip line! Kids 5 to 12 will be able to ride on a mounted zip line track that dips slightly at either end to get kids going from end to end.
There’s also a swing set with two bucket-seat swings and a companion swing where two friends can swing together.
A main play structure features two huts, three slides and a climbing wall.
Other features include a sit and spin chair, a group spinner, a teeter-totter and musical features.
The new play gear replaces aging Rio Vista Park equipment that is about 15 years old and was recently cleared to make way for the new playground.
The new playground will have a big impact on the lives of neighborhood kids and families, many of them first- or second-generation Americans.
Many live in the neighboring Rio Vista Mobile Estates mobile home park or in apartments just to the north of Rio Vista Park.
The entire Rio Vista neighborhood is nestled between two busy freeways, the Orange (57) Freeway just to the west and the Riverside (91) Freeway just to the north.
For many residents, Rio Vista Park is their open space, green space and play area. Many local kids also attend adjoining Rio Vista Elementary School.
“This new playground would have a big impact anywhere in our city but even more so here at Rio Vista Park,” said Anaheim Council Member Steve Faessel, who represents District 5, which includes Rio Vista Park. “The kids of this neighborhood will have a fun and safe place to play just steps from where they live. This will be their playground to make friends and memories.”
The Rio Vista playground will be the 14th with Kaboom! in Anaheim.
“I want to thank all who are giving so much to make this happen,” Faessel said, “from the generous teams at AbbVie and Kaboom! to Anaheim Family YMCA and our city employees. Your work and contribution to this project will have a lasting impact on the kids of Rio Vista.”