Ribbon Cutting For Playground In Waupun
24 August 2019 News
Waupun area residents and their families will be able to see firsthand a new all-abilities playground at the Rock River Intermediate School in Waupun during a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, August 26. The public is invited to attend.
The rain date is set at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27.
The ceremony will feature opening remarks from Wendi Dawson, Waupun Area School District director of Student Services. Other presenters include: Brittany Horvath, special education teacher with Rock River, as well as Kendra Ter Beest and Naomi Beahm, both parents of children with special needs, who sparked the concept as they were touching base on their children’s progress.
Children with disabilities often cannot play on a standard playground. As a result, they cannot take advantage of the amazing benefits that play provides.
An all-abilities playground is a space that provides inclusive play opportunities for children of all ages and abilities. These types of playgrounds are designed to promote the healthy development of all children’s physical, social, cognitive and sensory abilities.
A parents’-led group worked to make the all-abilities playground a reality.
“For children with special needs, play areas and playgrounds let them play and be children just like everyone else,” Ter Beest says. “Play is crucial for human development, the growth of social skills and self-confidence. For other children who do not have these challenges, playground equipment for all abilities offers major benefits. Connecting children with different backgrounds and abilities encourages empathy, as well as social and emotional skills that will benefit children throughout their entire lives.”
The group – Access 4 Recess – started its fund-raising efforts with a local kickoff, raising $7,000 in just three hours. The all-abilities playground’s largest cost was the turf helping to make the playground accessible for every ability. With the playground’s location at the school, it will be something that the entire community can enjoy.
“Turf is wheelchair accessible,” Ter Beest says. “The existing pea gravel poses challenges to accessibility not only for children but for adults who accompany them for play.”
Waupun Memorial Hospital, as a member of Agnesian HealthCare, and the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation stepped in. A combined $44,000 donation helped Access 4 Recess complete the turf footing.
In summer 2018, the Waupun Memorial Hospital Medical Staff also donated $2,500 to help support Access 4 Recess efforts. And, many other generous community donors made this possible.
Donations can be sent to Education Service Center, 950 Wilcox Street, Waupun WI 53963 to help support all-abilities playground developments at the Meadow View Primary School in Waupun. Checks may be made out to WASD, with Access 4 Recess in the memo field.
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