$5M gift from Delta Dental will help fund new playground along Detroit River

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A multi million dollar gift from Delta Dental is being used to help bring a new park to the Detroit riverfront. It'll be known as the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park.

The $5 million gift was announced Wednesday to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy to put towards a new a playground. 

The designers met with elementary school students from Detroit to imagine animals they would like to see as play equipment in the play garden.

The playground will feature a large 20-foot bear play structure that children can climb up and slide down, as well as otters, beavers and even a dragon. The park also will feature a swimming cove that can be used for ice skating in colder months. 

Construction on the park begins in 2020. It will be open to families in 2022. 

Last year, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation announced a $50 million investment for West Riverfront Park. It's being renamed for the late former owner of the NFL's Buffalo Bills. The playground is part of this project, and is expected to be one of the most popular destinations within the park.