New Playground Brings Inclusive Play, La Plata History To Wills Memorial Park

LA PLATA, Md. — The wait is over, and Wills Memorial Park has a whole new look.

Just months after families watched the gates close and the old playground come down, the new playground at Wills Memorial Park in La Plata is open — bringing colorful new equipment, accessible play features and plenty of nods to the town’s history.

The BayNet first reported May 4 that Wills Memorial Park would temporarily close as construction began on a complete replacement of the aging playground. The park closed Monday, May 4, 2026, with the town saying the full closure was needed to protect the public and give construction crews access to the site.

Now, families can finally see the finished product.

The new playground includes multiple slides, climbing structures, swings, tunnels, ground-level activities and equipment designed for children of different ages and abilities.

One of the most fun additions is a train-themed play structure decorated with the Town of La Plata seal and the year 1888, marking the year the town was incorporated. The railroad-inspired design connects to La Plata’s history and the nearby La Plata Train Station Museum downtown, which preserves the town’s railroad heritage and includes a caboose on display.

Built For Different Ages And Abilities

Accessibility was a major part of the project from the beginning.

When The BayNet reported on the construction in May, plans called for a modern, ADA-accessible playground with inclusive play features, ground-level activities and accessible pathways intended to support children with different mobility and sensory needs.

Those features can now be seen throughout the completed playground.

The new space includes adaptive swing options, sensory and musical play equipment and an outdoor communication board filled with pictures, words and symbols that children can use to communicate.

The playground also features a rubberized safety surface and shaded seating for parents and caregivers.

From An Aging Playground To A New Space

The transformation follows documented concerns about the condition of the former playground.

As previously reported by The BayNet, a 2024 playground inspection included in an April 2026 Town of La Plata Parks and Recreation Commission agenda identified aging and safety concerns throughout the old play area.

The report documented deteriorating structures, rust, cracked slides, failing climbing components, inadequate safety surfacing and design elements that did not meet current standards.

Those findings reinforced the need for a full replacement rather than another round of repairs.

Less than four months after the park closed for construction, the playground families knew has been replaced by a larger, more inclusive space designed for a new generation of La Plata children.

And after months of planning, construction equipment and waiting, families can finally go play.

One part of the park is still awaiting additional work. The basketball hoops were not in place during a recent visit to Wills Memorial Park, but town officials said they will return after upcoming court improvements.

Michelle Miner, assistant town manager for the Town of La Plata, told The BayNet the town plans to resurface the tennis and basketball courts within the next several weeks.

“The Town will be resurfacing the tennis and basketball courts in the next several weeks. Once the resurfacing is complete we will be reinstalling the basketball nets,” Miner said.

Wills Memorial Park is located at 505 St. Mary’s Ave., La Plata, MD 20646.

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