Students from Irving, along with Koralyn Dwyer, (center) assisted Executive Director of Parks Andrew Dwyer during a Tuesday ribbon cutting at Chautauqua Park. [Photo by Susan DeVilder]

Students from Mrs. Gerard’s second-grade Irving class helped park district employees and officials celebrate the grand opening of Chautauqua Park’s new playground equipment on Tuesday.

The students lined up around 9:30 am in front of the red ribbon and the gift bag table for a group photo before becoming the very first kids to try out the new equipment.

Executive Director Andrew Dwyer officially opened up the playground area and introduced Commissioners Jim Heberer, Michael Heberer and Nichelle Morey, as well as park district employees Casandra Swearingen, activities director and Heather Haga, business manager and office secretary, who joined in the ceremony. Dwyer’s daughter, Koralyn, assisted him in cutting the ribbon.

Second-grade students from Irving School were invited to attend the ribbon cutting at Chautauqua Park Tuesday. [Photo by Susan DeVilder]

The park equipment opening had been delayed, Dwyer said. The original equipment at Chautauqua Park was destroyed during a 2020 derecho storm that swept through the west end of town and shored off dozens of trees in that park.

The new playground was delivered the day of the March 31 tornado, and the project was put on hold while park district employees turned their attention to the clean-up at Baker and Northeast parks.