Owatonna’s Oldest Playground is About to get an Upgrade

More GREAT news for the Owatonna Parks and Recreation Department. An announcement on their Facebook page indicates, "Owatonna Parks and Recreation is thrilled to be one of the 100 projects that are the cornerstone of 100 Hometowns, an initiative to celebrate Lowe's centennial."

Out of more than 2,200 submissions from across the country, Owatonna Parks and Rec were selected to replace the slides, jungle gym, and swing set at Lake Kohlmier, Owatonna's oldest play area. "The new playground is an inclusive, ADA-accessible structure that includes sensory, shade and interactive features."

It was just a few days ago that Owatonna Parks and Recreation celebrated the grand opening of the We All Play inclusive project at Manthey Park, which includes a Miracle Field. That $1.2 million project was a privately funded project with just a faction of the total yet to secure. Find out more or make a donation through weallplayowatonna.com.

Regarding the Lake Kohlmier project, Owatonna Park and Rec states, "Improving nearly amenities will bring the park up to ADA standards and offer a place where children can play together and community members can enjoy the outdoors."

In a news release on Lowe's website, Marvin R Ellison, Lowe's Chairman and CEO comments, "We are inspired by the nationwide response to 100 Hometowns, which brought people from all across the country to share with us their remarkable stories and hope for how their community might be made a little better."

He continued, "Lowe's has been dedicated to improving homes, and hometowns, since its founding in 1921, and we look forward to continuing to do so for the next 100 years." Projects in this promotion are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

While the Kohlmier Park is due for an update, not everyone commenting on the Owatonna Parks and Recreation Facebook page is in favor of the change. One person wrote, "Don't get rid of that slide, it's my grandkids favorite."

Most other commenters were very thrilled with the news.

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