Around 30 local volunteers showed up with rakes and shovels ready to help construct the new playground at the Warren Town Beach on Saturday.

A couple mountains of mulch and many hours later, the new kid-friendly spot right by the water was mostly ready by this week’s press deadline. Three large boulder-style climbing structures still needed to be hoisted into place with the assistance of a crane from Blount Boats, which was expected to be completed by Tuesday afternoon.

Parks and Recreation Director Tara Thibaudeau — who was rallying the volunteers and directing efforts on Saturday while still recovering from a medical procedure on her foot — was thrilled at the community support displayed and looked forward to the completion of the finishing touches on the playground.

“I’m extremely excited,” she said Tuesday morning. “We missed it last summer, not having a playground. This is going to make it so much better for the kids, for the playground, for the camp, for kids at the beach and for families. I will be very happy when it’s done.”

Finishing touches to be finished in the coming days include the installation of 12-inch timbers around the perimeter by the Department of Public Works to contain the new mulch, as well as a pathway to make the playground handicap-accessible. Swings will be installed, along with the aforementioned climbing boulders, and a merry-go-round that was priorly at the playground that has been refurbished will be reinstalled.

Thibaudeau said that the playground, after being delayed last year due to a decision being made to let the ground settle a bit more, was a great example of a community coming together to build something that will add value to the town.

“I like doing community builds because it gives people the sense that they are participating,” she said. “People remember it and it means something to them. It has an impact, it’s part of their contribution to the community.”