HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- There's a buzz around Huntington and it all has to do with a mound of dirt in the center of Ritter Park.

"For the past two weeks, I've had a wonderful feeling driving by and seeing the bulldozers at work. It never fails to put a smile on my face," Beth McClelland announced at the groundbreaking for the new playground at Ritter Park.

Beth McClelland spearheaded the new playground project. It's called the island and will include numerous features for children regardless of their limitations.

"The playground has been designed so children with visual impairments or that are handicapped and in wheelchairs can use the playground. There are different things they can do. Drums, musical equipment that children of all ages can enjoy," McClelland said.

Federal, state and lots of local money funded the project. The Huntington Junior League sponsored it. Ironically, it was the Junior League that was responsible for the original playground more than twenty years ago.

For that, McClelland is this week's hometown hero.

"I'm the mother of two children and I overwhelmingly thought this was going to be a tremendous asset to our community," McClelland said.