Warm weather beckons kids (of all ages) outdoors

Marion?s Central Park was a popular gathering place Saturday for children and adults alike as temperatures climbed into the 60s. The warm weather prompted children to climb, swing and slide on the new play equipment installed in 2008 (the full assembly is shown in the top right photo). In the top left photo, Zack Heilbrun, 7, of Marion, looks down the slippery slope. In the middle photo, Rhett Waner, 4, of Hillsboro, smiles at the friend above him. In the photo to the left, Andellina Ricker, 9, of Marion, gives 2-year-old Dalton Burke a push. Forecasters predicted the mild temperatures will continue through this week. The area received a light dose of much-needed rain on Sunday, but conditions will likely continue to be dry and warm. Adding the new playground equipment to Central Park was one of the highlights for Marion in 2008, according to city leaders. You can read more about it and other highlights in the ?State of the City? section about Marion inserted in this Free Press.