photo of the new playground at Eli Whitney Recreation Center

Alamance Parks is pleased to announce the completion of a new playground at Eli Whitney Recreation Center located at 4110 E. Greensboro-Chapel Hill Rd., Graham, NC 27253. The new playground was funded by a grant from Impact Alamance as part of their focus on building healthy environments to increase access to physical activity for children and families. The playground was installed last month and includes a sunshade with picnic tables, perimeter benches, spring riders, a main play area platform, multiple slides, two climbing features attached to the platform, pod climbers, monkey bars, and more. Eli Whitney also has new landscaping completed in conjunction with the playground. The walking track still circles the playground.

The playground was designed to reflect the culture and history of Eli Whitney, with a focus on the Center’s original use to house cotton gins, its later life as a school, the Uncle Eli’s Quilting Party which just held its 85th annual event, and the textile history associated with Alamance County. The main play area platform is shaped like an old-time schoolhouse. It features panels with quick facts about the history of the original school and of textiles in Alamance County, a panel showcasing the Uncle Eli’s Quilting Party, and a panel about cotton gins with an interactive gear and crank mechanism that kids can play with. The spring riders are shaped like Boll Weevils, part of the cotton and textile theme.

Come out to see the new playground, enjoy a family picnic, or walk the track while your kids play! The Recreation Center also features open gym hours, fitness center hours, and more to come.

photo collage of new playground at Eli Whitney