The City of Suwanee is thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated PlayTown Suwanee, sponsored by Primerica as a partner in play, held its grand opening on Saturday, June 1, 2024. The playground is now open and ready to welcome the community!

Established in 2004 through the collaborative efforts of hundreds of volunteers, the original PlayTown Suwanee quickly became the most beloved community playground, known for its engaging play structures and vibrant atmosphere. After 20 years, the original well-loved wood materials needed replacing. Through extensive community input, including interviews with over 300 local schoolchildren and a steering committee comprising more than a dozen adults, PlayTown Suwanee 2.0 was born.

“The City of Suwanee has created an environment where children of all abilities can play side-by-side, and Primerica is proud to be a part of the effort aimed at building a stronger community,” said Kathryn Kieser, EVP, Chair of The Primerica Foundation and Chief Reputation Officer of Primerica. “Supporting PlayTown aligns with our commitment to help create better places to live, work and play.”

The grand opening celebration was a memorable occasion. The morning event included Beth Hilscher, the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Suwanee, as the emcee. She welcomed everyone and took a moment to shine the spotlight on key contributors. Special thanks were given to Suwanee Public Works staff, Suwanee Youth Leaders, and Kiwanis for creating and funding the "hide and seek" Parker game. And, of course, a heartfelt shoutout went to all of the dedicated PlayTown volunteers. The excitement continued as PlayTown Committee Build Captains Colette Grodzicki and Zach Whigham shared the inspiring journey of PlayTown, from its imaginative beginnings to the beautiful playground it is today.

Recognizing the importance of maintaining this cherished community asset, over 1,200 lifelong Suwaneetians and new residents alike, parents and grandparents, city staff, and groups representing many facets of our community rallied once again in the fall of 2023 to spearhead the construction of a newer, more inclusive, and sustainable iteration of PlayTown Suwanee. The updated playground, designed to be accessible to all, features thoughtfully designed play spaces and utilizes recycled plastics as the primary building material, recycling over 1 million milk jugs worth of plastic.

An aspect of the playground's redevelopment was the involvement of local high school artists and students from Suwanee Youth Leaders (SYL), who contributed design elements to enhance the playground's aesthetic appeal. “I truly loved the way the community came together to rebuild this park, impacting the future generations of Suwanee” said PlayTown Committee Member and North Gwinnett High School Art teacher Alexandra Sorto.

Spanning 13,000 square feet, the playground boasts various amenities, including separate areas for toddlers and older children, a dinosaur fossil excavation activity area, one exit & entry point for safety, and a lighted pavilion with picnic tables accommodating wheelchair users.

The overarching themes of inclusivity, accessibility, imagination, and collaborative play guided the design process, ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, could fully engage in the play experience. Notably, features such as a continuous loop design on the first floor of the main structure provide children using wheelchairs with independence and freedom to play alongside their peers.

PlayTown Suwanee, sponsored by Primerica as a partner in play, has become a testament to the power of community collaboration and vision.

“Primerica's support has been instrumental in bringing PlayTown Suwanee to life. Their commitment to creating an inclusive, vibrant community space has transformed our playground. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and investment in our community, ensuring that children of all abilities have a place to play, learn, and grow together,” said Denise Brinson, Assistant City Manager of Suwanee.

PlayTown Suwanee’s sponsor, Primerica, is a leading provider of financial products and services for middle-income households in the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Gwinnett County, Primerica is the #2 issuer of term life insurance in North America and educates hard-working families on how to become properly protected and get them on the path toward financial security. Every year, Primerica and The Primerica Foundation support over 100 nonprofit organizations in Gwinnett County, metro Atlanta, and beyond to help reduce homelessness and hunger and to deliver programs to help underserved populations become self-sufficient.

The grand opening of PlayTown Suwanee was a momentous occasion, symbolizing the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and community spirit. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to visit this extraordinary playground, where dreams are made reality.

For more information about PlayTown Suwanee, please contact Communications & Marketing Manager Bonnie Simmons.