Fundraising event announced for $250,00 inclusive playground project

(Above) This artist rendition of an Inclusive Playground shows the open spaces and the type of specialized play equipment which a group hopes to fund for placement in the city’s Outdoor Recreation Complex on 12th Avenue South.  A child in a wheelchair can experience the same playground as his or her sibling with no physical challenges.  They can swing next to their sibling in a five-point harness system, without their parent struggling to hold them, while their sibling swings on a typical swing right next to them. A parent or grandparent with a physical impairment (i.e. walkers, cane, wheelchair) can maneuver the park with out difficulty.-Submitted drawing.

Fundraising has begun to support construction of the Everybody Plays Inclusive Playground in Clear Lake.   The park will be located at the Outlet Recreation Complex on 12th Avenue South, joining the city’s soccer fields and dog park.

“Imagine a place where people of all abilities and ages can experience fun, challenging and creative play, side-by-side. That is the idea behind the Everybody Plays Inclusive Playground,” explains Christina Maulsby, who together with her husband, Grant, began dreaming about the project more than a year ago.

Christina said when issues arose with her own autistic children, the effort was put on hold for a while.

“Then, we realized we needed more help to make this a reality and we have a really great group now dedicated to making it a reality,” she said.

To get the ball rolling toward the $250,000 goal, the public is invited to a night of fun at Surf District Rock ‘n Roll Grill on Thursday, May 31.  The Brazilian 2wins will perform, and live and silent auctions will be going on throughout the evening. Event tickets are available at the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, 205 Main Ave.  All donations are tax-deductible.

The Everybody Plays Inclusive Playground will provide

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children and parents of all abilities and ages the accessibility to play together.  More than just wheelchair accessible, inclusive playgrounds provide safe open spaces, with specialized play equipment.

The City of Clear Lake is donating the land for the playground and the money raised for “Everybody Plays Inclusive Playground” will be 100 percent from donations, fundraising, and grants, explained Maulsby.

“Currently the playgrounds in North Iowa do not allow children with disabilities this opportunity,” she continued.  “The citizens of Clear Lake believe that creating a play environment using inclusive playground equipment that is welcoming to children and families of all abilities to learn, play and grow together, will not only boost our community but we strongly feel that families will travel to experience the park and enjoy what it has to offer.”

Experts say inclusive playgrounds are more than just wheelchair accessible.  They provide save open spaces, with specialized play equipment that allow imagination, invention and opportunities to play together.     A child in a wheelchair can experience the same playground as his/her sibling with no physical challenges.  They can swing next to their sibling in a five-point harness system, without their parent struggling to hold them, while their sibling swings on a typical swing right next to them. A parent or grandparent with physical impairment (i.e. walkers, cane, wheelchair) can maneuver the park with out difficulty.  Playgrounds can offer many opportunities for children to further develop physical, cognitive, sensory and social skill.  An inclusive design includes a balance of play experiences to build all these skills, allowing children to discover their world and how to be successful in it.

Donations to the Everybody Plays Inclusive Playground may also be made using the following link:  https://www.youcaring.com/everybodyplaysinclusiveplayground-1175553

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