SILVERTHORNE – The new Rainbow Park Playground in Silverthorne is receiving critical acclaim from the most discriminating playground-goers from across Summit County.

“I don’t quite know what my favorite thing is, because it’s all really fun,” said 8-year-old Frisco resident Killy McKernan. “It’s a lot funner than it used to be, because it has a lot of new things, and I’ve never seen a bigger playground than this.”

At 27 feet tall, the playground’s Mega Tower is redolent of the Lost Boys’ treehouse in Peter Pan. And its vertical rise seems to be among the playground’s most impressive features in many kids’ eyes.

“What I really like about it is the slides, especially the twirly one,” Killy’s 4-year-old sister Katie McKernan said. “My second favorite thing is the really high, high places.”

Members of the Silverthorne Town Council and town staff conducted focus groups with children at Silverthorne Elementary School to aid in the playground’s design.

“Asking the elementary students what they liked about the top proposals was important to us,” said Joanne Breigenzer, recreation director. “After meeting for about 30 minutes, it was pretty clear that they wanted big slides, swings, and features that spin.”

Parents, too, are giving the new amenity high marks.

“This is our second time here in two days,” said Shannon Fallon, a local mother of two boys. “We’re loving it.”

The new Rainbow Park Playground opened on Sunday. It covers 8,400 square feet and cost $245,000. The project’s steering committee included parents and community members Pat Taylor, Simeon Lee, Stephanie Roller-Bruner and Cindy Donahue.

SDN reporter Julie Sutor can be reached at (970) 668-4630 or jsutor@summitdaily.com.