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Accessibility is child's play for alumna who creates local playground
October 8, 2004
The playground will be at least 70 percent accessible to children in wheelchairs, with 20 interactive play panels to challenge children with mental disabilities. "This will be an exciting, safe place for all children to play," says Benson. Located off Jefferson Parkway, the playground will be part of a new $1 million park complex that includes soccer fields, a basketball court, handicapped-accessible trails, a shelter and a 160-vehicle parking lot.
Persistence and patience have paid off for the playground organizers, who came up with the idea three years ago. "Accessible playgrounds are not that common," says Northfield's Director of Resources and Park Planning Howard Merriam. "That's what makes this project different. It just takes longer to get all the parts in place," he adds.
The city of Northfield provided the land and an initial $30,000 for the project. Benson's committee raised an additional $120,000 from area foundations, businesses and private donors. The committee still plans to raise $30,000 to install rubberized pavement -- a safer, easier surface for maneuvering wheelchairs and walkers.
Playground construction will begin later this fall. "We'll start with the grading, infrastructure and towers," says Merriam, "and, weather permitting, we?ll have a completed playground yet this year."