UTICA — As warmer weather starts to settle in, children of all ages and abilities will now be able to utilize a new inclusive playground at T.R. Proctor Park.

The playground project, initially announced in November, replaces a former outdated playground at the historic Utica park. Construction on the new playground was recently finished and the facility is now ready to delight youngsters of all abilities.

“Here we have bestowed upon us the largest playground in the northeast that (BCI Burke Company) has put together and it’s right here in Utica,” Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri said. “It is an inclusive playground which means it is open for everybody.”

BCI Burke Company is a manufacturer of playground equipment and designed the new playground at T.R. Proctor Park specifically for Utica.

The playground includes unique additions that city officials say have not been seen in the Utica area to date, including a colorful rubber surface and play features that accommodate children of all abilities.

As city officials have been allocating millions of dollars from American Rescue Plan Act funding to the city’s parks, residents are now able to see and utilize the projects to which those funds were allocated.

The addition of the new playground is one of many improvements in the works to turn the park into a destination, city officials say. In the near future, the park will also see additions such as a dog park, a skate park, a splash pad next to the new playground, a parking lot adjacent to Buckley Pool, and a new waterslide for the pool.

With city officials investing a significant amount of money and work into the parks system, Palmieri also asked that residents and visitors utilize them for their intended purposes and not vandalize or destroy them.

“The only thing I will ask and request is that you respect these parks,” Palmieri said. “We’re putting in millions of dollars for you, the residents, and I’m asking the residents to make sure you keep an open eye and respect these parks.”