Funds will help pay to make new portion of the play area barrier free

By Leah Shaffer

If all goes as planned, by next spring, a portion of the Miller Park play area will offer a unique space that’s accessible to families and children of all abilities.

The first phase of Miller Park play area reconstruction will include a rubberized surface to replace the woodchip surface that currently exists. The new equipment installed will include ramped access to slides. It’s all thanks to fundraising efforts of the Garvin family and the Tom and Kathy Miller Family Foundation. Last week, Mike Garvin presented a check to the City Council for $134,369 to help fund the improvements.

 “It really takes it truly to a next level for everybody, not just people who might be bound to a wheel chair,” noted Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer.

A portion of Miller Park was due to be replaced because of aging equipment. The city has budgeted $110,000 to replace that equipment. The funds raised through the Garvin family and the Tom and Kathy Miller Family Foundation help to bring the playground to a level beyond what is required through the Americans with Disabilities Act, setting up what is known as a “barrier free” playground.

Lotthammer explained that they’ve structured the bid proposals so that, if they city did not have enough for all the barrier free improvements, the project could still go forward. He noted that the Garvin family is planning an event in October to bring in more funding for the project.

If that comes through the city would be able to add on more parts of the project, such as a larger swing area, a sand play table and refurbishing the asphalt trail.

“There’s a pretty good indication that with future city budgeted dollars as well as fundraising dollars that we’ll be able to tackle both phase two and phase three over the next several years,” added Lotthammer.

What that may eventually look like is a large play area like no other in the state. The project will include a better barrier between the play structure and parking lot, using ornamental fencing and some plantings.

“This is especially important to families with very young kids,” Lotthammer added.

He said the barrier free concept includes a ground surface of rubber for the entire playground.

“That’s a big part,” he said.

The other piece is “we would add a swing component that is more assessable and adaptive. And that would also have a rubberized surfacing underneath it, so it’s more accessible than kind of the standard ground cover of chips or wood fiber.”

While addressing the City Council, Garvin noted that it’s been two years since he first came with this concept to the city.

His family has experienced the difficulties of playing in standard playgrounds because his daughter Ashley, who is almost 6, does not have use of her legs, arms and does not have trunk control. She’d slide out of standard swing sets.

Garvin said what is so neat about the playground is the impact will be incredible for everybody.

“Kids love these playground because they’re different than what they see at every other park,” said Garvin.

One way to think about it is it benefits all people, those with balance issue, parents with strollers and young children, along with grandparents, noted Lotthammer.

“[It] gives everybody of all abilities the ability to play together and have a similar experience.”

You can learn more about the upcoming fundraising events by visiting http://www.ashleyandfriendsplayground.com:80/