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:

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.

Click here to see it: http://www.abcfoxmontana.com/news/local/Children-of-All-Abilities-to-Have-New-Playground-174630421.html

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!

Kids take to baseball field to raise funds for all-abilities playground

See the FAQ and Participant Info on the site and contact us with further questions.  Big thanks to the Missoula Osprey for their support.  Let’s play ball!!