A new children's play area inside Checkertails Diner at Osan Air Base, South Korea, replaces one removed from the base exchange. (Christopher Green)
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea – The 51st Force Support Squadron recently opened a new play area inside Checkertails Diner to replace one at the base exchange.
The first group of children tried out the new play area after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 26. The took six weeks to build, Don Slayton, the community services flight chief, said by phone Feb. 29.
“We were looking for another indoor playground in another location and we had thought about Checkertails just because of the centralized location,” he said. “It’s real close to the family housing tower and it’s a 24/7 facility.”
The play area at the exchange was closed to make room for more tables and chairs in the food court. Slayton said the diner is an ideal location and children can arrange medieval-themed parties for birthdays and other events.
The playground cost about $10,000, the 51st squadron designed it and hired a Korean contractor to build it, he said.
The playground fits perfectly in the diner’s overflow seating area. There are cubbies for guests to put their shoes in so they can play. It has two slides, a trampoline, climbers and padding for safety. Five childproof tables and chairs give parents a place to watch their children play.
Air Force spouse Rachel Pryor said the play area is a convenient place for a break.
“I think it’s great to have a place where kids can come on rainy or bad air quality days,” she said. “And it’s also nice that there’s seating where parents can come and hang out.”
green.christopher@stripes.com @ChrisJGreen8
A new children's play area inside Checkertails Diner at Osan Air Base, South Korea, replaces one removed from the base exchange. (Christopher Green)
A new children's play area inside Checkertails Diner at Osan Air Base, South Korea, replaces one removed from the base exchange. (Christopher Green)
