The new restrooms at Ben’s Red Swings in Salisbury City Park will be officially opened on Saturday.

Saturday is also the day for the 11th Annual Ben Layton Memorial 5K Run/Walk, which begins at 9 a.m.

Delmarva Veteran Builders oversaw construction of the new public restrooms. The project included the installation of two handicap accessible bathrooms, two acorn unit sinks and hand washing stations.

The expansion project was an addition to the playground site that was built more than ten years ago in honor of Ben Layton, who in 2002 lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 4.

“Thanks to the overwhelming support from local businesses who donated services and materials, the $90,000 building was built for under $63,000,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders, president.   

“The support we received for this project was overwhelming,” said Matt Drew, AWB Engineers.  “We were able to build a top quality restroom, save tens of thousands of dollars and instill community spirit just like when the playground was built over a decade ago.”

Salisbury Mayor Jake Day thanksed all who helped with the site improvement project.

"For 12 years, Ben's Red Swings has been an institution in the Salisbury City Park; a reminder not only of a brave young boy but of what our community can accomplish together,” said Day.

“Now this amazing playground becomes safer, more beautiful and more user friendly to families who visit our Park, our Zoo, and this wonderful community asset. I am so grateful to the Layton Family, AWB and Matt Drew and Delmarva Veteran Builders for bringing this project to fruition," Day said.

Ben’s mother, Katherine Layton, was equally appreciative.

“I am so excited about the new restrooms at Ben’s Red Swings,” Layton said.”  Eleven years ago, when the playground was first built, we never imagined so many children and their families would visit the playground every day.  As the years went by, we realized the playground needed its own restrooms.  We are so happy that our community supported the building of the new restrooms.”

The finishing touch on the expansion project is the Eastern Shore themed mosaic that will be placed behind the water fountain.  A local artist is working on the design which will be revealed at Saturday’s ribbon-cutting event.

Community decorated tiles will also be placed on the outside wall of the restroom building.  For more information about the paint your own tile, visit cfes.org/brs/

The ribbon cutting for the restrooms will take place at 8:45 a.m. Registration for the 5K Run/Walk will take place from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The race will begin at 9, with an after-party picnic.

For more information visit, sites.google.com/site/benlayton5k.

The following businesses contributed to the rest rooms construction:

• Shore Distributors
• Salisbury Door & Hardware
• Cain Masonry
• Tomey Electric
• Peninsula Roofing
• Tapman’s Refrigeration
• Barry Beauchamp Construction
• Salisbury Brick
• Shore Cuts
• DW Masonry
• Lower Shore Enterprises
• Pro Coat
• LS Concrete
• Kuhn’s Jewelers
• AWB Engineers
• Tri-Supply
• El’s Painting