PITTSBURG, Kan. —
Work will begin next month on a playground unlike any other in Crawford County and perhaps in Southeast Kansas.
What is being called a “multigenerational” playground is to be built at Schlanger Park, and is designed to be accessible to those with mobility issues, including those restricted to wheelchairs, walkers and strollers.
“There is currently nothing like it in our park system, nor the USD 250 playground system,” said Kim Vogel, director of Pittsburg’s parks and recreation department, which will work with a volunteer group to fund the equipment.
That concept was the basis for the project’s name, “Everybody Plays.”
“There were a lot of misconceptions at first that it was just specifically for children with disabilities. In fact, we call it ‘Everybody Plays’ because it is open access. For example, for grandparents who aren’t able to climb ladders to slides,” said Committee Chair Karen Aquino. “I can think of nothing worse than to sit on the sidelines and want to sit on the swings and them to not be accessible to you.”
The playground equipment will feature ramps and gradual inclines, eliminating the need for adults with canes and walkers to maneuver steps and ladders to get children to the top of a slide, for example.
Rather than have traditional flexible plastic swing seats suspended from a chain, the swing set features swings with hard backs and a harness system, Vogel said. Sturdy and oversized, the swings each have a locking mechanism that makes securing a child safe and easy. The backs will provide support for those who have physical limitations in sitting upright themselves.
And because the surface surrounding the swing set will be made of a smooth, rubber-like material rather than mulched, those using wheelchairs, canes or walkers will have access to the swings.
“It will give everyone the ability to play freely in an inclusive environment,” Vogel said.
Fundraising for the first part — the $27,000 swing set and the surface — was slow-going. Private donations and coins collected by school children totaled $7,000.
But a milestone was met last week with the announcement that the Pritchett Trust would fund the remainder of the swing set and the new surface. The $20,000 grant was awarded last Thursday.
Funds raised in an upcoming 10K, 5K and one-mile fun run, slated for Oct. 6, will go toward the playground structure.
The entire project cost is estimated at about $200,000.
“We really want to pick up the momentum and continue until the project comes to fruition,” Aquino said.
Mark your calendar
The Everybody Plays 10K, 5K and one-mile fun run will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, starting at Schlanger Park. Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. inside Schlanger Center, 725 E. Sixth St. Medals will be given to first- through third-place finishers in each age and gender division. Registration also can be completed online at everybodyplays10k.com.
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Pittsburg park to get playground equipment designed for people with limited mobility
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