Revitalizing Somers Park: A New Era for Kokomo's Outdoor Spaces
In the last few years, Kokomo has experienced significant upgrades, especially in our parks and trail systems. Among these improvements, Somers Park, located at 1000 E. Jefferson St., stands out with its recent major updates. This once declining playground has undergone a facelift, transforming it into a vibrant community space.
What’s New at Somers Park?
The newly revamped Somers Park now offers an array of features designed to cater to various interests and age groups. The updates include:
Basketball Court: A perfect spot for a friendly game or a solo practice session.
Picnic Table and Pavilion: Ideal for family gatherings, picnics and community events.
Sledding Hill: A fun feature for the winter months, offering a great spot for sledding.
Unique Jungle Gyms and Play Centers: Engaging play areas for children of all ages.
Fitcore Extreme Obstacle Course: A fitness-focused addition that is unique to Kokomo.
And so much more!
In 2021, the city of Kokomo deeded over the rights to Somers Park to the Center Township Trustee’s office. From 2021 to 2023, various playground equipment companies were consulted, and there was even a massive plan to build a 2.5-acre park renovation. However, due to the need for board approval and other processes, this initial plan fell through.
Enter Center Township Trustee Andrew Durham, who in 2023 proposed to the township board a different approach: fixing the existing equipment at Somers Park to provide a safe and engaging playground. Collaborating with Playpros, Andrew oversaw the design of a standard playground on the south portion of the park and introduced the innovative fitcore extreme obstacle course on the north side.
The total cost of the project was just shy of $400,000, funded entirely by savings accumulated over 15 years, said Durham. This extensive remodel did not impact the taxpayers, and a small but needed parking space was also added on top of the hill.
“I was able to do all that and stay well within our budget our board approved,” he said. I hope now that a park that hadn’t seen much love in decades becomes a community park that residents are proud of.”
“The response I have received, either in person or online, has praised how much the improvements have brought life back to that park, and they were glad to see more people out there than ever before,” Durham said.
With these major upgrades, Somers Park is now a revitalized space for the community to enjoy. We encourage you to take your family out and explore the beautiful parks and outdoor activities that Kokomo has to offer. Stay updated with everything happening at Somers Park and Center Township by clicking here.
