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By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer

 CALERA – To celebrate the installation of a new playground and grand entrance, Calera Main Street will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. in the Calera Courtyard.

According to Calera Main Street Director Jackie Batson, Calera Main Street worked with Giffen Recreation to select a playground that would exceed ADA requirements.

“We are proud to introduce the first inclusive, sensory-friendly, parallel play space in the area,” Batson said.

Made possible through a partnership with Shelby County and the city of Calera, the Little Tikes Commercial playground includes special designs by Unlimited Play to generate an inclusive environment for all children. In addition to sensory play panels and safety rails, the playground offers accessibility to the second deck and transfer stations to the slide for visitors using mobility devices.

The playground area also includes a Tot Builders playhouse, a surface spinner, concerto musical pieces and a swing set containing traditional belt swings, a tot swing and an inclusive seat.

Any visitors that may become overwhelmed during a trip to the playground can also employ the “Quiet Grove,” a special area dedicated to allowing individuals to focus, relax and regroup.

“Calera’s new playground offers new activities for the entire community where all kids and adults, regardless of their abilities, are accepted for who they are, not what they can or cannot do, so they may experience the magic of playing together,” Batson said.

In addition to the playground, the ribbon cutting ceremony will also introduce new amenities and features added to the Calera Courtyard, such as a metal archway designed and fabricated by Sloss Furnaces Foundation and made possible by grants from Cawaco RC&D Council, Norfolk Southern and Alabama Power Foundation.

Custom metal benches will be placed in the alley and around the Calera Courtyard courtesy of an economic development grant from the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham.

“We believe Downtown Calera is becoming a dynamic district to shop, eat, play and explore,” Batson said. “This ribbon-cutting marks an exciting step forward in our ongoing efforts to create a lively, inclusive space for our community and visitors alike.”

With the new Calera Courtyard features, Calera Main Street looks forward to hosting several new events this year including the Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 21, Nerd Fest on Saturday, Nov. 16 and a Festival of Trees starting Saturday, Nov. 23.