See What Kids Castle Will Look Like When It Reopens This Fall

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Kids Castle, the popular Doylestown playground once named one of the "World's Most Unbelievable Playgrounds," is gearing up to be even more unbelievable.

The playground has been closed since late March for new equipment installation. It was originally scheduled to reopen in June, but the work has been delayed and a September or October reopening is more likely, said Joe Salvati, chairman of the Friends of Kids Castle.

Once it does, it will be worth the wait.

During the closure, crews have been working to install new play structures for children with a variety of abilities. Play features to be added include items for children with visual impairment, hearing impairment, autism/SPD, mobility impairment, and cognitive disabilities.

We caught up with Salvati to find out the details on this new play equipment and what we can expect the popular playground to look like when it reopens.

The following new equipment is currently being installed at Kids Castle:

Inclusive play structure

This is a huge play structure that includes more than 31 fun features and attached play pieces, Salvati explained. It stands about four feet off of the ground through a ramping system. It occupies almost half of the entire playground from the front all the way to the back, he said.

It features a scavenger hunt panel, a ball maze panel, a motion sidewalk, a solar climber, a glide slide, a "Twist N’ Shout" slide, a rock climber, and much more.

Additional pieces being added to the playground include:

• Unity Spin-R with 2 Accessible Seats (see on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/KpkeizJ9Zik)
• Cozy Cocoon, Spinning (See on YouTube here:https://youtu.be/M0U9q-nrGsg)
• Unity Dome with Sensory Panels (See on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/F67w1VawUsU)
• Cruise Line (See on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Bow_MA1_yYY)
• Whirligig
• Neos 360 ADA (See on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/emJGJjOWBs8)

Here are some additional photos of the new equipment:

Plus, "Poured in Place" safety surfacing will replace the existing engineered wood fiber in the new play area. "It will also provide equal access to all and ease in maneuverability for children and adults who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices," Salvati said.

There's good news for the parents, too. A new shaded seating area is being added to the playground. There will be four large hex-shaped umbrellas over various sections of the inclusive play structure.

For more information or to support the effort, visit www.savekidscastle.org.