Preview: Take a video tour of Raleigh's new Sassafras All Children's Playground

I know there's a lot of excitement around the new playground that will open on Saturday at Laurel Hills Park in north Raleigh.

A dedication ceremony for Sassafras All Children's Playground starts at 10 a.m., Saturday, at the park at 3808 Edwards Mill Rd., not far from Crabtree Valley Mall. The playground stretches out across 3.5 acres, making it the biggest in the city of Raleigh.

The $2.3 million project was paid for with park bonds and donations and built, primarily, with help from city staffers, instead of a general contractor, and community volunteers. Inspired by a local mom, who has worked since 2009 to make this playground a reality, Sassafras is designed to be a place where kids of all abilities can play together.

The rubberized surface, for instance, makes it easy for kids in wheelchairs and walkers to move around. Special swings and a zip line are designed for kids who need more upper body support. A roller table allows kids, who can't hang from monkey bars, to push themselves across instead. A shady understory of the massive, main play structure allows little ones to play music and hunt for raccoons.

Shawsheen Baker, senior park planner for Raleigh, took me on a tour of the playground this week. Watch the video tour and check out the image gallery I posted earlier this week.

The park isn't yet open to the public. When I was there on Monday, construction crews were putting the finishing touches on a variety of pieces. Once the park does open, it will operate from dawn to dusk, daily.

I'll be chatting about Sassafras on WRAL-TV's morning news on Fox 50 between 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., Wednesday.