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South Fayette Township installs new Expression Swings

2 min read
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A swing set would seem to be the simplest, most straightforward piece of playground equipment.

And maybe the most enjoyable. Who among us, even if we’re decades removed from the playground, hasn’t been tempted to hop on a swing, even if we can’t soar to the heights we once did?

South Fayette Township has installed two special swings that are good for both the young and the young-at-heart. On Wednesday, the township unveiled two Expression Swings at Morgan Park that allow an adult and a child, or two children, to swing face-to-face.

South Fayette could well be the only community in the Pittsburgh area that has Expression Swings in one of its parks, according to Andrea Iglar, the township’s communications director.

“This is very exciting for our residents,” she said.

The swings have been funded through a $3,500 “Play for Change” grant underwritten by the Pittsburgh-based Grable and Benedum foundations. Morgan Park has two different types of Expression Swings. The “GameTime” swing has a bucket seat for children under the age of 5, and a facing adult swing. The second swing, The “GameTime Expression Swing Universal” has an adult swing facing an adaptive seat that can provide additional support for children with special needs as well as those typically developing.

Municipalities have become much more aware of residents with special needs, according to Marilyn Hoyson, chief operating officer of the Watson Institute, which operates special-education schools in the Pittsburgh area, including a campus in South Fayette. Thanks to this, “There are many more parks that have equipment that would help with special-needs kids.”

Making the township’s parks more accessible is a goal of South Fayette’s parks and recreation board, Iglar explained. Upgrades are planned at Boys Home and Fairview parks, she added.

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