Primary construction on the playground expansion at Walker Rocks Park wrapped up late last week.

The ground around the playground has been hydro-seeded, which gives it a light green look. The public is welcome to start using the playground, but visitors should avoid venturing off the rubber pad and into the hydro-seeded areas.

Some of the new features include a variety of swings, a zip track, an inclusive carousel, a four 4 all rocker, a swirl, a sensory station, two sensory totems and a sensory summit roundabout, which provides a unique climbing experience for children of all abilities. The climber features a wide basin with defined grips to allow children with limited use of their legs to participate in a climbing activity.

A communication board will be added later this month, and a solar powered charging station will follow later this year.

Walker County received a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior-National Park Service (NPS) to help complete the third phase of the park makeover.

The grant also includes funding for pickleball courts at the park. Now that the pad is ready, the contractor working on that part of the project plans to begin construction later this month.

The county also received a Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant to resurface the trail at the park. RTP is a federal grant program funded by the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. A request for proposals was released to area contractors recently, with submittals due later this month.