Delaware News

Can-Do Playground featured in national park crowdfunding campaign

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Parks and Recreation | Date Posted: Wednesday, July 26, 2017



WILMINGTON – On the heels of its 10th anniversary celebration, the Can-Do Playground at Alapocas Run State Park has been selected to be featured on the national crowdfunding site, “Fund Your Park,” by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The crowdfunding campaign launched this week by the NRPA, to raise $10,000 for the expansion of the unique playground administered by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation.

The Can-Do Playground was chosen to be featured through the NRPA’s competitive grant process. “Fund Your Park” is a crowdfunding platform designed by NRPA exclusively for park and recreation agencies and donations can be made through a secure site at: http://www.fundyourpark.org/campaign/detail/4892.

“Strong partnerships have brought great results for the Can-Do Playground,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “Working with community partners such as the Wilmington Area Rotary Clubs and the NRPA, we have the opportunity to expand and enhance recreational experiences for Delaware residents and visitors of all abilities. The Can-Do Playground is a shining example of what ongoing support and dedication can accomplish.”

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation and six greater Wilmington area Rotary Clubs — Brandywine Hundred, Brandywine Naamans, Caesar Rodney, Wilmington and Wilmington West Rotary Clubs — conceived and developed the playground a decade ago, and have reunited to revitalize and expand the state’s first barrier-free public playground for children of all abilities.

The Can-Do Playground promotes cooperative play between children with and without disabilities, and engages them in a wide range of activities essential to their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development.

The money raised for the project will:

  • Expand the project’s footprint by 5,000 square feet, adding additional pieces of nature-themed interpretive equipment aimed at improving the play experience of children with intellectual disabilities and those with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder;
  • Enhance the parent-child bonding experience with “expression swings,” configured with a face-to-face design;
  • Replace play components worn by weather and use with panels that add auditory, tactile, and visual experiences throughout the playground;
  • Optimize the rubberized surface to ensure ease of access for children with mobility disabilities; and
  • Add an accessible area for picnic tables and ground level music activities.

 

The NRPA is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 50,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space.

Vol. 47, No. 167

-30-

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Can-Do Playground featured in national park crowdfunding campaign

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Parks and Recreation | Date Posted: Wednesday, July 26, 2017



WILMINGTON – On the heels of its 10th anniversary celebration, the Can-Do Playground at Alapocas Run State Park has been selected to be featured on the national crowdfunding site, “Fund Your Park,” by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The crowdfunding campaign launched this week by the NRPA, to raise $10,000 for the expansion of the unique playground administered by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation.

The Can-Do Playground was chosen to be featured through the NRPA’s competitive grant process. “Fund Your Park” is a crowdfunding platform designed by NRPA exclusively for park and recreation agencies and donations can be made through a secure site at: http://www.fundyourpark.org/campaign/detail/4892.

“Strong partnerships have brought great results for the Can-Do Playground,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “Working with community partners such as the Wilmington Area Rotary Clubs and the NRPA, we have the opportunity to expand and enhance recreational experiences for Delaware residents and visitors of all abilities. The Can-Do Playground is a shining example of what ongoing support and dedication can accomplish.”

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation and six greater Wilmington area Rotary Clubs — Brandywine Hundred, Brandywine Naamans, Caesar Rodney, Wilmington and Wilmington West Rotary Clubs — conceived and developed the playground a decade ago, and have reunited to revitalize and expand the state’s first barrier-free public playground for children of all abilities.

The Can-Do Playground promotes cooperative play between children with and without disabilities, and engages them in a wide range of activities essential to their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development.

The money raised for the project will:

  • Expand the project’s footprint by 5,000 square feet, adding additional pieces of nature-themed interpretive equipment aimed at improving the play experience of children with intellectual disabilities and those with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder;
  • Enhance the parent-child bonding experience with “expression swings,” configured with a face-to-face design;
  • Replace play components worn by weather and use with panels that add auditory, tactile, and visual experiences throughout the playground;
  • Optimize the rubberized surface to ensure ease of access for children with mobility disabilities; and
  • Add an accessible area for picnic tables and ground level music activities.

 

The NRPA is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 50,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space.

Vol. 47, No. 167

-30-

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.