NAS Whidbey Island Commemorates Reopening of Costen-Turner Playground

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Marc Cuenca | 190422-N-HC646-2098 OAK HARBOR, Wash. (April 22, 2019) Sailors and their families familiarize themselves with the reconstructed playground area at Costen-Turner Memorial Park located on Ault Field at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The remodeled playground is due in part to a Commander, Navy Installation Command funded grant specifically designated to improve playground structures that had become obsolete. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Cuenca/Released)  

OAK HARBOR, WA, UNITED STATES

04.22.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc Cuenca 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (April 22, 2019) – Capt. Matt Arny and other officials from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island officially marked the opening of a remodeled playground structure at Costen-Turner Memorial Park on Ault Field with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, April 22.

Costen-Turner Memorial Park is an expanse of land dedicated in 1995 to Lieutenants Tom Costen and Charlie Turner of VA-155, whose A-6 Intruder was shot down over Iraq during the first night of Operation Desert Storm.

“I believe these individuals would be pleased to see that there is an updated playground structure dedicated to their memory,” said Rob Lattanzi, Community Recreation Director of NAS Whidbey Island.

The newly constructed playground was funded through a grant from Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) specifically designated to improve five playground structures in the Northwest region. The old playground at Costen-Turner Memorial Park had exceeded its useful life expectancy and did not meet the requirements for playground safety certification and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

NAS Whidbey Island was the first base in Navy Region Northwest selected to receive a new playground structure this year, with construction on the remodeling project starting on February 18.

Mike Rowe, N9 Facility Support Manager for the base, said that the updated playground now includes a flat deck formed from recyclable tire materials.

New additions to the playground include several slides, a rope course, and talking tubes around the structure so children can communicate with one another across different areas. For smaller children who are unable to climb, there are various musical instruments in the percussion family for them to interact with. There are also small structures such as blocks or raised platforms for them to step on. A new digital feature is also incorporated allowing children and parents to use smartphones to download a playground app allowing them to search for images to interact with.

“The benefit of the playground is play,” said Lattanzi. “Play is important to all of us, adults and children alike. The outdoor play environment provides opportunities that reinforce our physical, social, and cognitive behaviors, which are important to a developing child. We are pleased and proud to have a new playground structure that will enhance our children’s lives through play and interaction. The benefits are endless.”

The softball field can be reserved through the Whidbey Fitness Center located on Ault Field, but organized groups can reserve the park, which features picnic areas, a synthetic turf football field, soccer field, running trails, and a quarter-mile asphalt track as well as a gazebo, a softball field, and now, an updated playground area through the Convergence Zone Recreation Center.

“The residents have a place to call home,” said Lattanzi. “It is a nice place where they don’t have to go off base and they can come right here to our beautiful park setting. We are proud of the Costen-Turner Memorial Park and what it has become.”

• Date Taken: 04.22.2019
• Date Posted: 04.23.2019 02:34
• Story ID: 319069
• Location: OAK HARBOR, WA, US