FROM THE NEWSROOM: After the Plainfield Board of Selectmen this week greenlighted the towns status as the beneficiary of the Wonderland Park project in Lions Park, project founder Renee Coper is expanding on the premise behind the the upcoming park: the playground will be targeted at all children and families, regardless of age or disability. Coper explained that “Wonderland At Lions Park,” a group of parents driving the fund raising and project, envisions a park which is “barrier-free, inclusive and accessible,” and noted there will be a fenced-in ramp to a Pre-K area, sensory pieces for all children, and surfacing accessible to those in wheelchairs. She explained that in the Northeast Corner, the number of grandparents raising children is very high, and that a planned change in the surfacing will make it easier for all to access. The involvement of the Arc Quinebaug Valley with this project was clarified – although negotiations have begun with the Arc to be the projects “community partner,” meaning the organization would become the projects fiduciary and assist in grant-writing, the Arc has not officially signed on yet. Coper said since April, “Wonderland At Lions Park” has raised more than $6,500 for the quarter-million dollar project; she thanked the National Honors Society and other private donors for getting the ball rolling. She said even if some town officials may be willing to accept a smaller playground in the event the ambitious project cannot raise the $250,000, as far as the group is concerned, anything less is not an option. A time frame for the project has not been set, but Coper hopes it ends up being a “community build.” Tune in for the full report.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 11:30:12 +0000
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