Donations open for new park
An all-accessible playground in the works near splash pad
ST. MARYS — An all-accessible playground in St. Marys is getting closer to becoming a reality.
St. Marys resident Ashley Randolph said her proposal for an all-abilities playground north of the splash pad at Mill Park has passed the formalities and the St. Marys Community Foundation is open to accepting donations.
“My proposal was just a space where kids can go and play that had a handicap accessible swing and then some sensory toys and toys for children, learning disability or not,” said Randolph. “Just 100% to make it inclusive. We have some proposed slides, traditional swings and a highback swing. Of course, this will depend on how much is raised through donations.”
Randolph said donations can play a huge part in establishing the park, adding that Cisco Realty was the first business to make a donation.
“I’m going to be contacting local businesses but I want individuals to know they can donate as well. It’s just going to be set up to pay to the St. Marys Community Foundation,” she said.
In the memo line, donors can write Parks Improvement in the memo line.
Randolph said she has a couple of goals in mind that she wants to hit.
“Bare minimum, I’m aiming for $50,000, but I did set up another proposal surrounding what we could do if we raised $250,000,” she said. “Only because I learned that commercial equipment is very expensive and the wheelchair accessible swing and just a few sensory toys alone eat half of the budget. It’s insane how quick this is going to go.”
The all-accessible playground was the topic of St. Marys Councilors recent Parks and Playgrounds Committee meeting held on Feb. 16.
“The splash pad, in my eyes, is wheelchair accessible and in town for children so that’s why I went with this
location,” Randolph said at the meeting. “I think the splash pad is so family friendly, ... and I think that would be a prime addition.”
Randolph cited similar playgrounds locally, including the Bremenfest Sunshine Park in New Bremen. According to Garmann Miller & Associates website on the project, the playground features traditional playground elements, performance space, sensory play, quiet side spaces and gathering spaces.
According to a Hometown Stations story about the New Bremen playground, about $250,000 was raised to make the playground a possibility.
Randolph said there’s potential to receive a matching grant that would assist in purchasing equipment.
“The city can assist with the purchasing that way we get the matching,” she said. “Ultimately that is the goal because then I cold use all the donations toward the equipment and the matching could be used for stuff like the turf that has to go underneath it. We’re going to need some fencing, labor costs; that way the donations truly do go toward the equipment.”
Randolph has hopes that the project can move quickly.
“I’d like to break ground possibly next spring on this so that way, right before they turn the splash pad on, this park will be there,” she said. “Kids can go and enjoy the splash pad, parents can watch their little ones at the splash pad and maybe watch some of their older children at the play park.”
Mill Park would be a great location for the park, said Randolph, for many reasons, with one being that it’s already wheelchair accessible.
“I’m really excited about the potential for this park. I think there’s definitely a need for it in the community,” she said. “I think the splash pad is a great location and it’s wheelchair accessible. I just think this is going to be a great park to tie in the splash pad. The restrooms are already right there, the tow path is right there. I just think that you could come out to Mill Park and truly spend a fun day with your family.”