An overhead view of the Lockwood Park playground that will be built Aug. 15.UPDATE: Have some time this weekend? Help build the new Lockwood Park playground. Work starts on Saturday at 8 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. It'll start up again on Sunday at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and protective eyewear. Drinks will be provided both days and lunch will be provided on Saturday.
Questions? Contact Alderman Aron Wisneski at: aron.wisneski@cityofracine.org
ORIGINAL POST: The city's first playground designed for children with special needs will be built in Lockwood Park in August.
The new playground will include wheelchair-accessible ramps to playsets for toddlers and older children. It will also have a poured-in-place rubberized surface that's both soft and firm. The blue surface will be poured after the playground is built and will provide a padded landing in case children fall, but also a firm surface for wheelchairs to cross.
Alderman Aron Wisneski has worked on getting the playground for over a year. He and his wife are now recruiting volunteers to help build the playground on Saturday, Aug. 15.
Wisneski said the playground is accessible to all people. For example, elderly or disabled residents who may be wary about six or seven steps to reach a playset with their grandchildren will be able to walk up the ramps. The same goes for the rubberized surface. Most playground use wood chips or sand as a base, which is nearly impossible for someone in a wheelchair to cross.
"It's more accessible for everyone," Wisneski said.
The City Council agreed to spend $63,230 on the playground, which came with a matching grant from the equipment manufacturer.
The Kiwanis Club of West Racine recently donated $360.75 to the city to purchase a "Zero-G chair" (a hanging swing with harnesses) for the new playground. The Finance and Personnel Committee approved the donation Monday night.
If you're interested in volunteering to build the new Lockwood Park playground, contact Alderman Aron Wisneski at: aron.wisneski@cityofracine.org
Looking forward to helping!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great thing. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Mike Shields will stop by to help out?
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe Shields will bring Keith Fair with him
ReplyDelete$62K sounds like a great deal, compared to the $55K red scrap metal joke!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome thing that the city is doing. I have a cousin who has Spinal Bifida (im sure I spelled that wrong lol) and a brother-in-law with Cerebal Paulsy. There needs to be more parks like this so they can enjoy playing at the park just like all the other kids.
ReplyDelete63K here 55K there, when does it stop ? No money for cops.Yes this a do good feel good project. Where is the $$$ coming from ?? I live on social security, I have to figure out when to go to doctor, which drugs to buy,turn off AC ,heat, lights ,how much water to use and pay TAXES, TAXES.Where does it stop ??
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ReplyDeleteSad but true: Please write without profanity.
ReplyDeleteOk, will do.
ReplyDeleteHow long before scumbag thugs vandalize this playground?? I give it 3 weeks. What are your guesses?
30 years.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful... but begs the question: WHEN finally will children at HALO have a lovely playground long ago promised? Who needs it more than these little ones without homes and back yards?
ReplyDeleteCannot the community pull together for donations and manpower for this project at HALO?
It's a shame.
HALO sucks enough money from the community as it is.
ReplyDeleteThis is just fabulous! Kids and parents will disabilities will be able to have a place to go and just enjoy and have fun. Will there be any type of a picnic area or anything like that or is there one there? What kind of help is needed and what type of hours?
ReplyDeleteHaving a playground for the kids at Halo would be great too. But most of the kids at Halo also have access to all parks, Kids Cove, etc. Kids in wheelchairs don't. I would like to see the path through the sand by the lake too so disabled parents or children can go there too.
Thanks for putting this all together!
Why doesn't the person who owns the building housing HALO build the playground.
ReplyDeleteYou have to do stuff in the neighborhoods for the children. These run down playgrounds are sad. I don't think it will be vandalized. Let the kids help build it and be a part of putting it there.
ReplyDeleteI do understand the situation with taxes being unaffordable. We need to make cuts. We need to eliminate waste. The playground is a good investment.
PETE,
ReplyDeleteThe headline s/b City Spends $63K on playground.
anon 9:50
ReplyDeleteand just what is ROI for this ??
Anon 9:50 - the RoI, some fun and entertainment for kids with disabilities. Smiles on their faces - the best ROI available.
ReplyDeleteSomehow Shields will call this playground racist because it uses a blue surface.
ReplyDeleteAnon 12:57
ReplyDeleteThe city is not a for-profit business. Not everything they do will have a RoI
I hope Q.A is there.
ReplyDeleteBut on the other hand even an hour or two would help bring this to be. Parks Urban Gardens Farmers Markets help create and tie together neighborhoods and cities. Lets see if we can just for a few hours to something great for kids and the City.
God Bless Aron for taking the lead!
God Bless everone who even shows up for whatever time they can or just gives the project a good thiought.
A few months ago when I volunteered at the food bank separating food items, there was a playground outside of HALO.
ReplyDeleteGood job Aron. This is an investment in our children. Doesn't happen very often anymore. Maybe the rest of the stuffed shirt council could take a lesson about class from Aron. Keep up the good work and god bless you!
ReplyDeleteThis is an outstanding project and a great addition to the community.
ReplyDeleteI was there for a bit this AM will be going back Sunday. Good folks there and fun to be had.
ReplyDeleteEven if you can only give an hour its a big help.
HALO does have a playground right outside its front doors.
ReplyDelete