The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
COME ONE, COME ALL
Zachary Wallace Playground in Jeffersonville to be dedicated on Saturday
WEST NORRITON » Natalie Wallace’s favorite part of the new playground is the sign bearing her late son’s name that greets visitors at the entrance.
“This has been a long time dream of (husband) Don and I,” Wallace said of the Zachary Wallace Playground, an all- accessible playground for children of all abilities, which will be dedicated on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Padden Park, 2101 Oakland Drive, Jeffersonville.
“The Zachary Wallace Fund partnered with West Norriton Township to build an all-accessible playground,” she explained. “About a year ago I went to go see Jon Dzedzy at West Norriton Township about doing a new upgrade to the playground at Padden Park on Oakland Drive. After months of speaking we decided to take out the entire playground and put in an all accessible playground for all kids to enjoy. We did a lot of work getting and fund raising and the township made it happen.”
Upgrades to Padden Park include a Pour-in-Place so kids in wheelchairs and walkers can get onto the playground easily, Wallace said.
“We created a playground with many sensory and adaptive elements for all children to explore and learn,” she explained. “A friend of mine, Steve Kehoe from Kehoe Construction, was generous enough to donate a sidewalk to go around the entire playground. Keller Williams really came through when they held a casino night for the Zachary Wallace Fund and some of the proceeds from that night went towards the playground.”
Saturday’s dedication will
include music, face painting, food trucks, and of course, playing.