T
he Charleston Area Alliance and Chamber of Commerce recognized an East End playground Tuesday during the nonprofit’s “We Love Our Community Awards” program.
Celebration Station, a city-owned playspace next to Piedmont Elementary School, received the “Placemaking Award” during the Sept. 9 ceremony.
Volunteers built the playground in 1994. In 2022, crews demolished its original wooden structure. The site underwent a $578,000 remodel in 2023 with new equipment funded through public and private contributions. The city of Charleston provided $300,000, according to city data.
“It has been incredible to see the transformation of Celebration Station from a playground needing new equipment to being this vibrant, accessible space for all of our community members to enjoy,” Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin said in a 2023 news release. “We are thrilled the city could help support this project alongside our community partners.”
Photo: City of Charleston
The remodel created two areas: one for Piedmont Elementary students and another designed for the community. The public section includes swings, climbing equipment, standalone play sets, sensory-sensitive and accessible equipment, seating areas and green space.
City officials credited multiple community partners for Tuesday’s recognition.
“The transformation of Celebration Station from a playground in need of renewal to a vibrant, accessible space was made possible through community-driven partnerships,” officials said in a statement.
The Alliance’s annual awards honor people, projects, programs and organizations that provide services in the Kanawha Valley. This year’s ceremony took place at the West Virginia State University Downtown Center on Capitol Street. More than a dozen businesses, organizations and individuals were recognized.
Other 2025 award recipients included WVU Medicine St. Francis Hospital and the WVSU Center.
The Alliance is expected to post a full list of winners on its website soon.
