By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

More proof that if you build it, they will come. Patriot’s Park in Rincon was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting April 22.

A number of children were present and eager to jump, climb, and swing on the new playground equipment that shone in the late-afternoon sun.

The park has been in the works since 2008, when the city approved the construction of two tennis courts as the first phase.

The tennis courts were completed in 2010. Original plans for the park included sports fields.

Next to the tennis courts behind the Rincon YMCA, the park features modern playground equipment – swings, slides, jungle gym in hues of green and tan – all on a bed of artificial turf and springy recycled rubber.

The park has a sand box and a blank cement slab for drawing on. There is still some undeveloped land around the park covered with grass. Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Exley mentioned the possibility of a splash pad, maybe. “Don’t hold me to that,” Exley said.

The only drawback is the park doesn’t have restrooms, yet. Two portable toilets are located next to the tennis courts.

That lack of bathrooms didn’t seem to matter to the kids as they climbed and swung on the equipment and ran around on the turf.

City Manager Jonathan Lynn said city engineers are working on the design and cost estimates for the restrooms. The park construction was paid with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds.