Nov. 14 will mark the 30th anniversary of the launch of Pioneer Frontier Park in East Ridge. To celebrate the milestone, city officials will open a time capsule that the original builders placed inside a structure at the main entrance. The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. at the playground located at 1509 Tombras Avenue.
The structure at the park is made of bricks of East Ridge’s previous city hall and houses the time capsule the Pioneer Committee stuffed with letters to future grandchildren. The public is welcome to attend the celebration to witness the opening of the capsule.
East Ridge Mayor Brian Williams will open the occasion. Former committee member Debbie Colburn will peruse the contents of the time capsule.
Pioneer Playground became an East Ridge icon after its opening in 1994. A group of citizens raised the needed funds and spent time learning how to build the original Pioneer Playground structures.
For years after its construction, the Pioneer Frontier Committee used the funding received to care for and manage the playground. Volunteers would pick up litter, make repairs to the equipment and ensure the park was an attractive and safe place for their neighbors to enjoy.
The city of East Ridge took over the maintenance of the park in 2007; 15 years later, the city received a grant that funded a million-dollar renovation that updated the playground to current safety and ADA standards.
After years of planning and delays due to COVID-19, East Ridge reopened the park in March 2022.