The Need for the Playground

PRESIDENT KAREEN EVERMAN

715.592.3701 HOME

715.346.0055 WORK

715.572.5659 MOBILE

wcpsa@sbcglobal.net

kash_logo_4C

KIDS ARE SPECIAL HERE (KASH) Playground

Stevens Point and Portage County, Wisconsin

A Case For Universally Accessible Playground – Portage County

A Vibrant and Visible Expression that the Corporate Community Values People of all Abilities

THE NEED

While Portage County is home to more than 1,000 children with special needs, none of its 47 playgrounds fully accommodate children or adults with physical disabilities. Playgrounds set the stage for people, particularly children, to come together, make new friends, learn and play.

The playgrounds in our community do not allow equal access for both children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. Woodchips and gravel make it impossible for children in wheelchairs and walkers to navigate the playground; sandboxes are too low; monkey bars are too high; swings don’t have backrests to support special needs children; and slides and stairs make it impossible for a child with special needs to do it alone. Physically challenged parents and grandparents are also excluded from participating in or getting close enough to watch these special activities.

Kids need to belong. To be a part of a team. To join a circle of friends. Too often individuals with special needs sit on the sidelines watching. KASH Playground will create opportunities for all children to explore the magic of play. Play for all children, children with or without disabilities, is a tool for learning.

There are over 1,000 children with special needs in Portage County without a playground that fully accommodates their physical disabilities. Though this park will be built with these children in mind, the more than 13,000 children of all abilities in our area can use it. And for those adults (parents, grandparents and other relatives) who are physically disabled themselves, they can finally take the children in their lives to a playground and be near them when they play. This park will be built to serve all children and their families. It will not exclude anyone with disabilities as the current parks do.

It’s a tall order to create the perfect environment for the pint-sized crowd, but KASH Playground meets the challenge. We understand how important it is to make a safe, developmentally challenging environment that is big on fun. Special consideration will be made to pathways, parking, and bathroom facilities to ensure accessibility for everyone. Sensory rich gardens will surround the play structures. The gardens will be an opportunity for children to smell, touch and feel as well as provide aesthetic appeal.

Equipment was selected to create a wide variety of active and social play challenges. The well-designed central structure will accommodate a large number of children. Independent play structures will be featured, with a variety of swings, climbers, and spring riders that are placed a safe distance away. The best play areas satisfy the needs of a greater range of users.

The priority will be on building a play structure with maximum accessibility.

Children of all abilities:
Visually impaired Cognitively impaired Motor impaired Will be able to: Swing Slide Climb Play with all

UNCOVERING THE NEED

A group of six from “Leadership Portage County” (a program designed to develop and foster community leaders) first came up with the idea to develop an integrated playground in Stevens Point. This group:

Conducted a needs assessment for a special needs playground in our community by meeting with health care, educational, and government officials.
Looked at special needs playgrounds in Janesville, Oshkosh, Hopkins, MN, and Marshfield as the model on which to base the Stevens Point playground project.
Partnered with Portage County Health and Human Services Employee Foundation to obtain 501(c) 3 status. All contributions are tax deductible.
Began to research specialized playground equipment.

LOCATION

Mead Park, across the HWY 10 bridge on the west side of Stevens Point was chosen as the site for this playground. The Kids Are Special Here Board considered many factors in choosing the playground location. Factors in favor of the Mead Park location include:
On City Bus route
On Green Circle Trail
Close to I39 and Hwy 10
Shaded area for playground
Ample parking
Convenient and well-known location, easy to find
Downtown area visible and accessible
City owned; the City of Stevens Point assume responsibility for the playground once completed

When looking at the safety of the children, the playground area is set well back from both Highway 10 and from the river. It is approximately 200 feet from the river bank, 360 feet from Highway 10, and 100 feet from Whitney Street.

In addition, the design of the playground will incorporate concrete barriers and other landscaping to establish boundaries and enclose the playground area. This will set the playground area apart and should discourage children from wandering away from the playground area.

RESOURCES NEEDED

Current projections for the project are $544,020. The costs include:


Playground Equipment
	2-5 Playground	24,420
	5-12 Playground	$113,800
Surfacing, Independent Items		19,380
Demolition and Earthwork		14,000
Initial Utility Costs		29,000
Concrete & Asphalt Paving		53,400
Landscaping		28,500
Site Furnishings		23,250
Restroom Facilities		30,000
Professional Fees		29,900
	(Construction document prep, Engineering, Construction supervision, Survey – staking/layout, Accessible drinking fountain, Utility service etc.)
10% Contingency		49,456
Project Total		$544,020

WHY BE A CONTRIBUTOR?
The need is real
There will be a tangible and visible impact on all of the children in Central Wisconsin
The results are achievable and realistic
Strengthens community and family life
Children need to develop compassion

HOW CAN PEOPLE CONTRIBUTE?
Cash
Pledge
Appreciated Assets
In-Kind Donations

MEMORIALIZING GIFTS

Financial gifts and services will be memorialized at the playground site. The proposed entry arch will include up to 8 stainless steel plaques (depending on how many donors are involved), in which major financial gifts and other services will be etched, engraved, or embossed onto the plaques for recognition. An aluminum sign will list all other donors and will be placed in the playground.

EDUCATORS, PHYSICAL THERAPISTS AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS VALIDATE OUR CASE

Sue Chapman, Portage County Birth to Three Program Director, “Our team services over 80 special needs children up to three years old every year. Currently there is not a place for them to gather socially and play together. We could help parents find this playground and utilize it for intervention services.

Stevens Point Area Public School District Department of special education annual report – parent newsletter 2003-2004 – Our district is currently serving approximately 940 students in special education, which includes private and public schools.

Jean Schappet, creative director for the National Center for Boundless Playgrounds, “Children learn independence and self-direction in play. Its purpose is to provide skills for adulthood.Either you learn it in your childhood or you can’t do it as an adult.”

Athletic Business (The Business Magazine for Athletic Fitness, and Recreation Professionals) October 2003, from an article called Equal-Opportunity Playgrounds: Inclusive park environments that appeal to children of all abilities: “Enterprising parents and community groups are creating truly inclusive park environments that appeal to children. Research shows that a child’s early years of creative play are critical to the development of his or her imagination, confidence, and social interaction.”

Patti Orthwein, Pediatric Physical Therapists Saint Michael’s Hospital, Stevens Point, WI “There are so many children in Portage County with nowhere to play because of disabilities. I applaud the efforts of this group that strives to change that. The kids I work with don’t want separate equipment for them. They want to be treated like everyone else.”

Stevens Point is home to Special Olympics Wisconsin. Each June, 10,000 Special Olympic athletes visit Stevens Point,WI for the competition. “Special Olympics is a program, which reaffirms the beliefs that with hope and dedication, we can see achievement and self-worth realized by any individual. It is our belief that persons with cognitive disabilities, by their involvement in Special Olympics, show the community at large there are no limits to human potential.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Kids Are Special Here

Kareen Everman		WIS-DOT grant/Special Needs Parent
Randy Stroik		Point Precision/Stevens Point Alderman
Lyn Baumgartner		United Way of Portage County
Jim Riggenbach		PCHHS Employees’ Foundation
Mark Barnes		Stevens Point Fire Department
Jack Curtis		UWSP/ Stevens Point Parks Commissioner
Helen Godfrey		UWSP Foundation
Barb Hunt		Saint Vincent De Paul
Bret Kastein		Pointe Precision LLC
Patti Orthwein		Saint Michael’s Hospital
Sue Reinhart		Stevens Point Public Schools - Special Education
Paul Rice		Community Industries

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Jeff Bahling, Rettler Corp.		Landscape Design
Bev Clayton, Modern Signs		Sign Design
Patti Dickey, PCCPSA		Playground Design
Patti Dreier, Portage County		Grant Writing Consultant
Jenny Fasula, Mid-state Independent Living		Mead Park Accessibility Study
Leonard Fuller,CDO - Consultant to Not-for Profit 501c3		Fundraising Consultant
Todd Grunwaldt, Grunwaldt and Associates		Architect
Tom Grygo, Landscape Structures		Playground Equipment Design
Brett Gurholt, Rettler Corp		Landscape Design
Lori Koehmstedt, Land’s End		Grant Writing
Julie Krueger, Mid-State Independent Living		Mead Park Accessibility Study
James Mascal, Video Pro		Video Production
Carol Mueller, Noel Group		Communications and Grant Writing
Greg Pederson, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network		Fundraising
Collene Ottum, AFSCME Local 348		Web Design
Jerry Rous, UWSP Extension		Playground Planning

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