Unique playground comes to Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Later this week City of Austin officials will announce new plans for a playground system.

The Austin Parks Department hopes it encourages parents to bring their kids downtown to have fun since most of the parks within the downtown area are not considered kid friendly.

"There aren't a lot of amenities for kids in the downtown square," said Brian Block, Austin Parks Department.

But with more and more families moving into the residential towers downtown - the Parks Department decided they needed to make a few changes.

One of those changes is called an Imagination Playground .

"It encourages kids to have open ended and free play with the movable pieces that promote creativity," said Block. "Seventy-five foam blocks and noodles, sand and water table as well as equipment."

The cost of the playground is $12,000 all of which was underwritten by Amplify Credit Union.

"This seemed like a great idea to us to bring something to kids who live or work around downtown who might not otherwise have access to a playground," said John Orton, Senior Vice President of Amplify Credit Union.

And since the playground is movable the idea is to take it to different events.

"It's going to be used for events like the farmers market, movies, concerts, yoga in the park," said Block.

Kids can check out the new playground at the beginning of next year.