Pulaski County Parks and Recreation Announces Installation of Three New Weatherproof AED Stations at Randolph Park

6 5 AED Station

Pulaski County Parks and Recreation is proud to announce the installation of three new weatherproof Automated External Defibrillator (AED) stations throughout Randolph Park as part of an ongoing commitment to public safety, emergency preparedness, and community wellness.

 

The newly installed AED stations are strategically located at:

 

  • The Randolph Park Multipurpose Field
  • The Bat and Ball Complex Tower
  • The Large Pavilion nearest the Randolph Park Playground

 

In addition to the three permanent outdoor AED stations, a fourth AED unit is available seasonally at the Evelyn Alexander Waterpark during operational months.

 

The installations were made possible through a collaborative partnership between Pulaski County Parks and Recreation, Pulaski County Facilities Management, and the Pulaski County Joint 911 Communications Center.

 

The new AED centers feature highly visible illuminated steel stations designed to ensure quick identification, even in low-light. Each weatherproof enclosure is climate-controlled and sealed against heat, cold, moisture, and dust to provide reliable year-round access to lifesaving equipment.

 

To help safeguard the equipment from vandalism and theft while maintaining rapid emergency access, each station is secured with a keypad access system connected to the Pulaski County Joint 911 Communications Center. When a patron calls 911 to report a medical emergency, dispatchers can immediately provide the access code to unlock the AED cabinet while simultaneously initiating emergency response protocols.

 

“These three locations were selected very intentionally to maximize emergency coverage across Randolph Park and serve some of the highest traffic areas within the facility,” said Jenna Kinder. “From youth sports and tournaments to playground activity and community events, Randolph Park welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each season. Having accessible AED stations throughout the park is an important step in enhancing the safety of everyone who visits.”

 

CJ Burgis emphasized the importance of making emergency equipment readily available in athletic environments.

 

“In sports and recreation settings, every second matters during a medical emergency,” Burgis said. “Sudden cardiac arrest can happen without warning, and having AEDs placed directly within our athletic and recreation spaces provides immediate access to lifesaving support equipment while emergency responders are in route.”

 

The project also strengthens coordination between emergency communications personnel and park operations. According to Chris Akers, the collaboration was designed to improve emergency response efficiency and public access to care.

 

“This partnership between the Joint 911 Center and Parks and Recreation helps ensure that when someone calls 911 from Randolph Park, dispatchers can immediately guide callers through emergency response procedures, provide access to the secured AED stations, and direct callers to the nearest device location,” Akers said. “The ability to begin AED protocols as quickly as

possible can make a critical difference during a cardiac emergency.”

 

In addition to the new AED installations, Pulaski County Parks and Recreation has recently completed the installation of new shade structures at both the Randolph Park basketball courts and the Randolph Park playground. These additions arrive just ahead of the busy summer season and are designed to enhance comfort for the growing number of park visitors utilizing Randolph Park’s recreational amenities each year. The new shaded areas will allow families, athletes, and community members to enjoy outdoor recreation for longer periods of time while staying more comfortable during the warmer summer months.

 

Pulaski County Parks and Recreation continues to prioritize improvements that support the health, safety, accessibility, and overall experience of residents and visitors across county recreation facilities.

 

For more information about Randolph Park and Pulaski County Parks and Recreation programs and facilities, visit www.recreation.pulaskicounty.org