Stephens County’s Sensory Playground now open

The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the new sensory playground at the Stephens County Recreation Department with a ribbon tying ceremony.

According to Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President Julie Paysen, a ribbon tying ceremony symbolizes the community coming around a new business, organization, or entity in support of the services that entity provides.

County Administrator Christian Hamilton says the playground is a welcomed asset to the county.

Former Stephens County Commissioner Michelle Ivester was instrumental in the playground being built. She says it required a lot of work from many departments and even the help of a special education class.

“This was a team effort. I can take credit for this by myself. We worked as a team on this. We started about 5 or 6 years ago and it changed numerous times. We wanted something where all children can play. I immediately met with Megan Wilhoit and her crew and her kids at the middle school and they picked out about 90 percent of the things you’ll see here. I wanted to make sure it was something they would use and not just something the adults put out here,” she said.

County Commissioner Chuck Wright says students in the school system will be using the playground throughout the year on fieldtrips.

“First, I’d like to say that I want have to give anymore updates about this playground because its open. This sensory playground is the brainchild of Michelle Ivester. We’re all excited for what this playground means to everyone. I’ve already heard conversations about the school system bringing students out here for fieldtrips. I invite you to come out, you really can’t be in a bad mood at a playground,” he said.

Former County Commissioner and current Chairman of the Keep Toccoa-Stephens County Beautiful Board James Addison says they have planted a tree in honor of the late Tim Hale, who served on the KTSCB Board.

Recreation Department Director Chris Rainey says the new sensory playground is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For additional information regarding the new sensory playground visit stephenscountyga.gov.