Renovated playgrounds on Camp Zama reopen just in time for summer vacation

Photo By Noriko Kudo | A newly renovated playground on top of Chapel Hill is now open to the community. This and one other playground here recently reopened, with more set to reopen in the near future, providing children in the community with an ideal outlet for play and physical activity just in time for summer vacation.  

ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

06.15.2023

Story by Noriko Kudo 

U.S. Army Garrison - Japan

CAMP ZAMA, Japan – Two renovated playgrounds in housing areas here recently reopened, with more set to reopen in the near future, providing children in the community with an ideal outlet for play and physical activity just in time for summer vacation.

Camp Zama’s Directorate of Public Works is leading the renovation effort. The playgrounds that reopened are located in the residential area near Zama Middle High School. Another playground, located at the top of Camp Zama’s Chapel Hill is scheduled to reopen soon, a DPW representative said.

One of the reasons for the renovation project is that the playgrounds were originally constructed more than 20 years ago and were a bit dated, said Mai Shimazoe, an engineering technician assigned to DPW. Therefore, the decision was made to install updated equipment so that children in the community could enjoy safe, state-of-the-art facilities, she said.

A huge amount of work went into getting the project approved, Shimazoe said, including dealing with supply and shipping issues. But everyone involved, including the DPW team, construction inspectors and contractors, worked closely as team to complete the project as quickly as possible, she said.

“This was the first time DPW’s Housing Management Division executed a playground renovation project,” Shimazoe said. “It was a very challenging project for us, but we are happy to be opening the playgrounds sooner than we anticipated.”

The playgrounds are there for the entire community and will be able to be in use for several years if patrons follow a few simple rules, Shimazoe said. Patrons are urged to adhere to each respective playground’s posted age range, not treat the equipment overly roughly, throw away all trash in the provided garbage bins, and take all personal items when leaving the playground. This will ensure maximum enjoyment of the facilities, she said.

Playgrounds near both the Honshu Heights and Mountain View high-rise housing areas are currently under construction and announcements will be made to the community once they are open.

For questions, contact the Housing Management Division at 263-4574 (046-407-4574 from a cellphone) or 263-5741 (046-407-5741 from a cellphone).

• Date Taken: 06.15.2023
• Date Posted: 06.15.2023 03:09
• Story ID: 447218
• Location: ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JP