January 26, 2013 / by daria / Make A Comment / Filed under Donations, Missoula All-Abilities Playground Project
We are so excited to announce a very generous donation of $150,000 to the All-Abilities Playground Project from the Helen and Morris Silver Foundation!!!!!
Here is the official press release from Missoula Parks and Recreation:
The Playground Project in McCormick Park
On Thursday, January 17, Mayor John Engen will accept a $150,000 grant from the Morris and Helen Silver Foundation to begin construction of a new, universally-accessible playground in McCormick Park. The public is invited to attend the announcement and celebration afterward.
The Playground Project at McCormick Park includes play equipment for children of all ages and abilities. The new playground features wheelchair-accessible surfacing and adaptive play equipment to bring all children together in play. To design the playground, Parks and Recreation staff met with focus groups of kids using wheelchairs, kids on the autism spectrum and youth with other disabilities.
Parks and Recreation Director Donna Gaukler says the new playground will be an exciting play space for all Missoula children. “It’s vitally important to create inclusive play spaces in our community, where people of all ages and abilities can play together. Playgrounds are where kids are most active, and where they learn creativity and problem-solving. This playground allows all children to gain the developmental and health benefits derived from unstructured play in an inclusive environment.” The new playground expands on the vision of the Bonner Park All-Children’s wheelchair-accessible playground by bringing the latest inclusive play technology to Missoula—including play features for children with sensory, cognitive and multiple disabilities.
Gaukler says the Playground Project at McCormick Park also offers a variety of community benefits. “We’re very excited to be building the first playground of this type in state of Montana, and we expect it will draw visitors from around the region, just as MOBASH Skatepark does. Special amenities in parks and a healthy built environment are important factors in our community’s quality of life and economic vitality. With the addition of the playground to McCormick Park, we’re creating a universally-accessible recreation zone, including Currents Aquatics Center, Silver’s Lagoon, and the Ron MacDonald Riverfront Trail System.”
The project is funded by the $150,000 Silver Foundation grant, a $50,000 capital improvement contribution from the City, and funds raised by the All-Abilities Playground Project, a group of local parents and children committed to bringing inclusive play to Missoula. The total needed to start construction of Phase 1 of the project is $350,000 and the fund balance currently sits at $291,000. “We’re close enough to put the project construction out to bid this spring,” Gaukler says. “To start construction in late summer, we’ll need the community’s help to raise the additional $59,000.” Citizens can donate to the project by visiting www.allabiltiesplayground.org.
Thursday’s celebration will be held at 2:30 p.m. in McCormick Park, 600 Cregg Lane, near the existing playground. Citizens are invited to attend and learn more about the project. A short reception will follow in Currents Aquatics Center. The Silver Foundation is a philanthropic organization created by the Silver family, who donated a portion of the land for McCormick Park to the City in 1937.
For more information on the Playground Project in McCormick Park, visit www.allabilitiesplayground.org or phone Parks and Recreation Director Donna Gaukler at 552-6265.
December 5, 2012 / by daria / Make A Comment / Filed under Donations, Missoula All-Abilities Playground Project
Thank you to the Missoula Community Foundation, for a generous gift of $1715!! In addition to their 2011 gift of $1000, they have been a significant supporter of The Playground Project. We are tremendously grateful!!
November 24, 2012 / by daria / Make A Comment / Filed under Donations, Missoula All-Abilities Playground Project
Thank you to Laugh for a Change who raised $269 for the playground at their recent comedy show!!! Be sure to catch this hilarious troupe on 2nd Saturdays at the Elbow Room.
October 20, 2012 / by daria / Make A Comment / Filed under Missoula All-Abilities Playground Project
Thanks to Melina Peck who is part of our Playground Committee for this TV interview with ABC-FOX Montana! Click here to see it: Melina Peck of the Playground Project Committee tells it like it is! Thank you ABC-FOX for this wonderful piece.
Click here to see it: http://www.abcfoxmontana.com/news/local/Children-of-All-Abilities-to-Have-New-Playground-174630421.html
July 27, 2012 / by daria / Make A Comment / Filed under Missoula All-Abilities Playground Project
WHAT A NIGHT!!! I think we can definitely say Missoula’s first All-Abilities Baseball Game was a HUGE success!!!!! The kids had a ball, our volunteers were tireless, and the total raised for the playground from All-Abilities Baseball Night was over $51,000 – exceeding our goal!!!! That makes $113,000 total raised for the All-Abilities Playground so far – we are over 40% of the way there!!!! INCREDIBLE!
Thank you to all the amazing kids, families, coaches, volunteers, mascots, musicians, sponsors and the Missoula Osprey for hosting this event. And of course a big thanks to all the cheering fans who were able to witness just how much fun the kids had.
This morning, the Missoulian published a fantastic FRONT PAGE article of the event and details on our playground project. You can read it by clicking below!
July 22, 2012 / by daria / Make A Comment / Filed under Missoula All-Abilities Playground Project
Three more days until the All-Abilities Baseball Benefit! It’s going to be a night for fun for all ages, hope you can join us! We have raised close to $30,000 in pledges so far. Thanks for all of your support! LET’S PLAY BALL!!!! For more information please click here! http://playgroundproject.dojiggy.com
May 17, 2012 / by daria / Make A Comment / Filed under Missoula All-Abilities Playground Project
We have Osprey baseball ticket vouchers for sale! For every $10 ticket we sell, The Playground Project keeps $5. Game days are Friday, 6/22 (opening night) and Friday 7/13 (T-shirt night). Games start at 7pm. Email [email protected] for your tickets!
April 12, 2012 / by daria / Make A Comment / Filed under Missoula All-Abilities Playground Project
Our next volunteer meeting is Monday April 30, 6-7pm, Jeanette Rankin Peace Center, 519 S. Higgins (enter through back door in alley). See you there!
April 5, 2012 / by daria / Make A Comment / Filed under Missoula All-Abilities Playground Project
Plans are in the works for a spectacular all-abilities baseball benefit at Osprey Stadium, Thursday, July 26! Children with disabilities will round the bases along with Little League buddies and be coached by well-known Missoula personalities. If you know a child who would like to play, please contact us!
April 4, 2012 / by daria / Make A Comment / Filed under Missoula All-Abilities Playground Project
Visit us on April 6th, 10am-2pm, at Healthy Lives Under 5 Day sponsored by the Child Development Center. We will be sharing a table with the Child Development Center in the JC Penney Court of Southgate Mall. There will also be free developmental screenings, free parent tips and resources, and fun play activities for kids under 5 years old!
