A new playground is set to open soon at Riverfront Park. The new edition, called Butterfly Park, will feature playground equipment, but will also feature a view of the river and Edmund Pettus Bridge.

It’ll give children and their families a reason to want to be outdoors. Children will want to go outdoors to swing and slide on the new equipment and parents will want to be outside in an area where they can read a book and enjoy some fresh air.

This is exactly the kind of areas Selma needs more of. Not only does the new playground invite more people downtown, but it also promotes being healthy and outdoors. In an area where obesity, hypertension and diabetes are high, getting people outside and getting them moving is a positive.

The project was started by former Mayor George Evans. Ground was broken on the park in October and is near completion. It is set to open in the next few weeks.