Murphey Candler Park Playground Now Open

BROOKHAVEN, GA — The long-awaited new playground at Murphey Candler Park is ready for action.

The city announced its opening Friday, according to a press release, featuring a climbing castle with a tightrope bridge, a new double swing set, a tree climber tower, springers and a new walkway.

Funding for the project came from the city of Brookhaven's park bond referendum, approved by voters in 2018. A total of $8.9 million is dedicated for Murphey Candler Park improvements, as outlined in the community-driven master park plans.

“This is another milestone of change and improvement for Murphey Candler Park,” District 1 Council Member Linley Jones said in the release. “This follows the completion of the massive lake dredging, the shoreline restoration, the trash trap to keep the lake clear of debris, a beautiful new bridge, improved and expanded football/softball parking, and much more recently completed even in the midst of the pandemic shutdown.”

The playground area was originally planned to be finished by the end of January, but Mayor John Ernst and Jones directed engineers to rework early plans to minimize tree removal, the release said.

“I could not be more excited about the future of Murphey Candler Park,” Ernst said in the release. “These improvements will have a lasting and positive impact on the park, the lake and the Murphey Candler neighborhood.”