Legion Park's New Solar-Powered Bench for Charging Phones

on Park, you've come a long way baby. We have a long relationship that dates back to my childhood when we lived just a few blocks away from it and would ride our bikes down there on most nice Saturdays.

At that time, the "playground" was spread out all over the park. You had the monkey bars, the witch's hat way over there; those springy animal rides that bounced back and forth up by the main picnic shelter; and tornado and accompanying slides somewhere in the middle. And, of course, the swingsets were scattered about.

A LEGION PARK ADDITION WITH A 'SUNNY' DISPOSITION

Today, the consolidated Legion Park playground has everything in one place and, as of Thursday, features a bench that is solar-powered.

Dave Spencer/Townsquare Media

From Owensboro Parks and Recreation:

"Thank you Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline for donating the solar bench to the City of Owensboro’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The solar bench is located by the playground at Legion Park. It can be used to charge smart devices, cell phones, and tablets while supervising your child on the playground. The bench is designed to withstand weather conditions and is an innovative solution functioning on clean solar energy. Featuring 2 dual 3.0 rapid-charge ports, the bench is capable of charging 5 devices simultaneously. This is the first solar bench of its’ type in OBKY."

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Dave Spencer/Townsquare Media

SOLAR BENCHES ARE NEW TO OWENSBORO, BUT NOT EXACTLY 'NEW'

While it IS the first solar bench in Owensboro, it's certainly not the first solar bench in use at parks around the country and the world. Check out these solar walkways and pieces of solar-powered "street furniture." (By the way, I totally DIG the "street furniture.")

SOLAR BENCHES COME IN ALL VARIETIES

It appears as if there are as many varieties and designs of solar benches as there are convenience store card readers. (I've come to the conclusion that no two of THOSE are alike.) I did a search and came up with a LOT of different benches.

And according to News25/WEHT, in the future, we can expect to see more solar-powered benches at other city parks and areas where you typically see benches.

So when you're enjoying Legion Park this summer, you can also "power up" while the kids play.

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