Marion to Celebrate Partnerships and Completed Playground Projects Next Week

Community leaders, City staff and Chamber ambassadors will join members of the Marion Parks and Recreation Department for two ribbon-cutting ceremonies next week to celebrate the completion of two major park playground projects.

On Monday, Nov. 17, at noon, they will join Linn-Mar Community School District representatives to mark the completion of the new Taube Park/Wilkins Elementary Playground. Parking will be available at 2200 31st Street, Marion. By working together, the City and Linn-Mar combined resources to upgrade the playground and surfacing. The finished project supports both school-day use and public access during non-school hours.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, at noon, City officials will dedicate the new playground at Ascension Park, 875 S. 22nd Street, Marion. It features structures for 2- to 5-year-olds and 5- to 12-year-olds, as well as artificial turf for easier maintenance and improved accessibility. In addition, walkways were added to improve access from the shared parking lot with Ascension Lutheran Church.

Both playgrounds were replaced as part of the annual equipment replacement program and support the City's commitment to safe, inclusive and engaging play environments for all children. With Council approval, the next anticipated playground replacement project will be Gill Park in 2026.