photo by Shelia Harding Cannon
County Mayor Weston Wamp and Hamilton County Parks & Recreation celebrated the grand opening of a new playground and the completion of extensive outdoor upgrades at the Birchwood Community Center.
County Mayor Wamp said, “A year ago, we stood right here at the Birchwood Community Center to hear directly from residents who felt overlooked and forgotten. We made a promise to listen and act — and today, we’ve delivered. This is what it looks like when local government follows through and honors its small communities.”
The revitalized Birchwood Community Center now features a modern playground with inclusive surfacing and play components for children of all abilities, a newly paved walking track, and resurfaced tennis courts — one of which has been converted into two pickleball courts.
Additional upgrades include restored ball fields and a refreshed concession building, creating a vibrant hub for outdoor activity.
“We deeply value the Birchwood community and are committed to providing them with exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities,” said Matt Folz, director of Hamilton County Parks & Recreation. “Our goal is to collaborate with every corner of Hamilton County to create spaces where families can come together, stay active, and build community right here at home.”
The improvements in Birchwood build on other recent county investments in the area, including a broadband expansion project that brought high-speed internet to hundreds of homes, in partnership with Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC).
Later this summer, a new computer lab will open inside the community center, further enhancing digital resources for residents in North Hamilton County.
The outdoor facilities at the Birchwood Community Center — located at 5623 Highway 60 in Birchwood — are open to the public, with the indoor space expected to open a few days a week in the near future.