Kiwanis Club of Canandaigua has received a grant of $25,000 from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr Legacy Fund for Youth Sports at the Community Foundation.
This grant will be applied toward equipment purchased for the Inclusion in Motion Playground in the Town of Canandaigua. The official grand opening of the playground was held in June with over 1,000 attendees. Since then, the response to the playground has been overwhelming with many children and adults using the facilities daily. Thanks to the Ralph C. Wilson Legacy Fund and many other donors, the group is close to the goal of raising the funds needed to complete the project
In the fall, the final phase of the project will be the building of a pavilion, though that pavilion will be much more than just a “building.” It will include family bathrooms, inclusive picnic tables and seating area, a concession stand, and a large common area serving as a transitional space between the drop-off area and the playground. The pavilion will hold a universal design certification plaque, a charging station for power wheelchairs and communication devices, and a tactile map to orient visitors upon arrival.
“We have taken a design approach that goes beyond minimum accessibility compliance,” said Kiwanis Club of Canandaigua President-Elect Pam Metting. “By incorporating Universal Design strategies into every aspect of the project, we will create an enhanced experience for all playground visitors.”
When the entire project is completed, it will become the first isUD Universally Designed and Certified playground in the country. This will complete the dream of having a place where everyone can play together regardless of ability and will also support Kiwanis Club of Canandaigua’s mission of serving the children of the world.
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