Ribbon cut on new Boys and Girl’s Club of Detroit Lakes playground Wednesday

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – As the clouds parted from the morning rain, the sun began to gleam off the bright white and reflective surfaces of Detroit Lakes’ latest and, arguably, greatest playground at the Boys and Girl’s Club of Detroit Lakes. 

And just as local leaders and stakeholders gathered outside the perimeter fence Wednesday afternoon to cut the ribbon on the $730,000 zone of fun, the excitement of the Club’s afterschool kids began to take hold with many discussing what they were going to play on first.

One suggested the swings. Another shouted, the monkey bars. And a third child, ever so calmly and cooley, said he wanted to play on that “masterpiece,” and pointed to a covered merry-go-round that can be spun from the inside.

During the Oct. 4 ribbon cutting ceremony, Pat Petermann, executive director of the Boys and Girl’s Club of Detroit Lakes, said he was so happy many of the Club stakeholders and playground backers were able to attend. Adding, the new playground is an addition not just for the Club, but for all of the lakes area.

The ribbon is cut on the new Boys and Girl’s Club of Detroit Lakes playground on Oct. 4, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM)

“We are blessed today to have representatives of people who helped build it, who donated, the city of Detroit Lakes, and many other businesses and grants to our area and our region to get this done,” said Petermann. “This project is not only important to the Boys and Girl’s Club, but to the community of Detroit Lakes and the surrounding area and visitors to our community.”

Ron Zeman, alderman first ward, who represents Detroit Lakes residents north of Highway 10, said the new playground is a testament to what can happen when a community comes together for a common cause and praised the city, businesses and other organizations that gave their time and money to help with the project.

“It’s for all the kids on the north side, but it’s for the kids throughout town, everybody is welcome to come here,” said Zeman. “It shows what a team effort is with everybody pitching in from corporate businesses, to service clubs, to the city of Detroit Lakes, it really worked out well to have this park … so kids, you’ve got a park here on the north side. Come up and use it all the time and we’ve got a beautiful basketball court here, just come up and use it. We’re very happy to have this park here on the north side.”

Tami Skinner, director of operations for the Boys and Girl’s Club of Detroit Lakes, said the playground upgrade has been years in the making.

“From the start of the building … when we were dreaming up this beautiful building, we knew exactly where we wanted the playground to be,” said Skinner. “I think it’s better than what I could’ve imagined. We were looking through catalogs for months. We’re looking at color swatches and seeing it all put together was one thing, but seeing it with kids on it, it was just amazing.”

She also said the equipment was laid out to focus on balance and agility, which can be fun ways to keep kids active. She added, with the bouncy rubber mat and open spaces, they plan on taking some of their classes outside for activities, or even just utilizing their drop everything and read time under the playground’s built-in awnings.

“Part of our priority outcome is to build healthy lifestyles and so we really looked at this playground to build balance, strength and agility,” she said. “We tried to make it unique in that way, so there are lots of wobbly objects, lots of climbing objects … we also specifically kept some open space, so we can bring our own games out here. Sometimes just bringing the inside, outdoors to give them more fresh air.”

The new playground with be opened seven days a week and those interested in checking out the new equipment can stop by the Boys and Girl’s Club of Detroit Lakes, off Highway 34, and experience it first-hand.