Children with disabilities often feel left out of many things. While some playgrounds offer a few features that allow children with disabilities to participate, that participation is still on a pretty limited basis. The Ward 3 Recreation District has an ambitious plan to build a Boundless Playground at its sports complex off Highway 14.
A Boundless Playground provides a place to play for all children, including those with physical, developmental, cognitive and sensory disabilities. Not only will it benefit some 7,000 children with special needs in our area, it will benefit all children. It will be free and open to the public.
But it's going to take the generosity of the community to make this dream a reality. SWLA is a generous community. We see the proof every year during the Children's Miracle Network Telethon when hundreds of thousands of dollars poor in in the name of children. We saw an overwhelming amount of generosity when Millennium Park was built. Several hundred thousand dollars were raised then. Now it's time to embrace another project in the name of children.
Ward 3 Rec Executive Director Kevin Mullen and a committee of parents with children with special needs and professionals who work them are trying raise $250,000 to build a Boundless Playground. You'll be hearing about fundraisers and the calls for corporate sponsors and individual donors to step forward to help fund the construction of the playground. It's a chance for SWLA to say we have something special for every child, including those who are often left sitting on the sidelines.
If you would like to know more about the Boundless Playground project or make a donation call (337) 990-0112. If you would like to take a virtual tour of one go to www.boundlessplaygrounds.com.
I am the mother of a special needs child. My son has several neurological disabilities as well as some sensory disabilities. My I suggest the playground have some type of enclosed are in which computers would allow programs such as the Laureate Learning Systems for Special Needs Children. We now live in Arkansas since Rita but more so we now live there because my son is unable to recieve the type of medical treatment he needs in Lake Charles. I will attempt to contact individuals I know to make a donation in his name.
Often people think the children with special needs get all the help they need. You would be feel the need if you were to witness a child that is not allowed to be bumped or knocked down on a playground for fear of life threatening injury standing on the sidelines as his friends played. Perhaps this is something that will assist those children in having a real playful relationship with their friends.
Posted by: Claudia Reynolds-LeBlanc | July 16, 2006 at 03:30 AM