Trenton Residents Excited About New Playground Coming to Slocum Park

The buzz on the streets surrounding is getting louder.

Parents living in the area are getting excited to have a place for their children to play that is close to home.

In July, the city of Trenton received a Community Development Block Grant and used the funds to purchase new .

City administrators put a call out to local businesses and members of the community to on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Children playing on Fourth Street and Atwood Street said they were excited to hear of a new playground coming to their neighborhood.

Area parents said they look forward to the playground equipment because the open field where Slocum High School used to be is not a fun place for children.

Ash Hampton, who lives on Fourth Street, is the father of a six-year-old and a five-year-old and he said his daughter could really use a place to play.

"She just runs up and down the street (on the sidewalk) and that's about the extent of her play unless we go to ," Hampton said.

He added that his children can't do much more than run in the open field at Slocum Park and doesn't feel it is a great deal of fun for them.

"There's not much equipment for them to play," Hampton said.

Jen Carmona, who lives on Atwood directly across the street from Slocum and has children ages 15, 12 and 9, said the park is a cool idea.

"If there was a playground over there (at Slocum Park) they would utilize it," Carmona said. "I think it will be sweet. It will be cool to have."

Kim Cline, who lives on Fourth Street, said she was happy to hear about the park.

Cline has children ages 7 and 2 living at her house and said she welcomes the new park.

One concern raised by Hampton and Carmona was the potential need for lighting at the park, but City Administrator Bob Cady said there would be no need for lights because the parks close at 10 p.m.

"None of the parks are lighted except for the baseball field at Teifer (Park) for night games," Cady said. "If there are problems in the parks we will step up our efforts to patrol those areas."

Hampton said he doesn't want the park to be a hangout for "hoodlums."

"Overall, I think it's a good thing for the community and a good thing for my babies," Hampton said. "They are at the right age that they are going to benefit from it and have good memories at that park."

Each parent who spoke to Patch said they would gladly assist in the effort to assemble the playground.

To help make Slocum Park into a wonderful place for children to play contact Joann Perna at the 734-675-7300.

Perna said she is also accepting donations in the form of money, materials and food.