IN PICTURES: REVAMPED PLAYGROUND OPENS AT MARATHON COMMUNITY PARK

With a massive shade structure and interactive play stations for toddlers and younger children, the playground is Marathon’s newest destination for family recreation. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Marathon’s kids gained another kingdom with the official reopening of the new Marathon Community Park playground on Aug. 10. Closed for around a month as employees from PlayWorks revitalized the old playground with brand new equipment, including interactive stations for toddlers and young children, the $153,000 project is sure to provide a safe and shaded place for family recreation for years to come.

“Have fun, come here as often as you want and use this park at every opportunity that you can,” said city manager George Garrett. “Enjoy. This is a good thing.”

Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert made the perfectly natural career progression from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor in 2021 after freelancing for Keys Weekly while working full time at Dolphin Research Center. A resident of Marathon since 2015, he fell in love with the Florida Keys community by helping multiple organizations and friends rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Irma. An avid runner, actor, and spearfisherman, he spends as much of his time outside of work on or under the sea having civil disagreements with sharks.