A Tamaqua playground that was closed last month due to safety concerns will reopen today.

“They’ve done a remarkable amount of work” at the South Ward Playground, Councilwoman Kathy Kunkel said.

A group of volunteers, including a number of teenagers, attended Wednesday’s council meeting to ask for the playground’s reopening.

Before their request, Kunkel noted that volunteers had repaired electrical boxes, mitigated hazards and corrected issues at the concession stand.

“Everything is really ready to go,” she said before requesting council approve a Saturday reopening.

Michele Bowman, a member of the South Ward Playground Association, said she wanted the park “open sooner than later.”

“I would like to open it (Thursday) for these kids after school to show them all the great work that has been done,” Bowman said.

She noted that youths and other volunteers worked very hard to get the park up and running.

Help from other groups is also pouring in, she said. Among them are Tamaqua Raiders STEP UP, Tamaqua Elks and the Tamaqua Football Boosters.

There are a handful of items that need to be addressed, including replacement of some equipment, she said. Those items are on order, Steigerwalt noted.

The remaining problem areas will be roped off by borough workers.

The playground was closed April 20 after Bowman aired his concerns about safety issues with council. Council asked the South Ward Playground Association - which oversees the playground - to remedy the problems and hold a reorganization meeting and election of officers.

That meeting will be held at 6 p.m. May 23 at the playground.

Council approved the request to open the playground today.