It’s vivid red, white and blue coloring and dramatic curves are a sharp contrast to the rusty old gray metal children are familiar with now.

The Etna Street Park is getting new playground equipment. Workers with Snider and Associates of Cleveland are spending this week installing a 40-feet-long complex of slides, rock wall, monkey bars and other childhood fascinations, all of which will be handicapped accessible and surrounded by a bed of safety mulch. The $20,000 project should be completed and ready for use next week.

Mayor Rich Blankenship said this new equipment is part of the city’s commitment to upgrade its recreational facilities. The needs at other parks will be addressed in the future.

“We felt like this one was more of a centralized park and sees quite a bit of usage with the basketball and tennis courts,” Blankenship said.

Blankenship intends for the new equipment to be more than just eye appealing. He said he hopes it will inspire kids to be active outdoors.

“Obviously we hope this will encourage exercise. Kids need more of that activity,” he said.