Board of DD looking at Phase II of playground
The new playground equipment at the Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities was put in place to benefit not just the children and clients at the Board of DD, but the general public as well. Phase II of the project is now underway, as fundraising efforts to replace a second older part of the playground is on the agenda.
In 2016, the Holmes County Board of Development and Disabilities recognized that the pea gravel playground area was not conducive to many clients, especially those in wheelchairs.
So, it set about building a new playground that features a redesigned, handicap-accessible ground covering, consisting of rubberized material that allows for easy access. Also installed was unique playground equipment specially designed to be more inviting for interacting, socializing, and laughing and learning together.
That was Phase I, and now the Board of DD is undertaking Phase II, which has already seen the board tear down the other half of the outdated equipment to the new playground’s east. Currently, a fundraising process is underway to replace it.
Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities superintendent Marianne Mader said the same soft, pliable surface that was used in Phase I was installed with the new playground equipment. She said they have already removed the old playground structure that was there and the ground is being given time to settle. She noted that the time frame to erect the new playground equipment will be sometime next year, but before then, they must take care of the financial fundraising part of the effort.
“When the original playground was put in, it was intended to be Phase I,” Mader said.
The old equipment was located to the east of the new playground and included equipment from the mid-1990s that Mader said had seen better days.
While Phase I featured a large overhead canopy to provide clients and students with shade, Phase II will be open air with no canopy.
While the surface will be the same, the set of equipment in Phase II is a premade model that comes as a complete unit.
“In Phase I, we had the opportunity to pick and choose what we wanted in the playground structure, and we could make it to the specifications we felt would best suit our needs,” Mader said. “Even though we won’t have that option with this new equipment, it is still a beautiful addition that kids can really enjoy.”
The new piece of equipment will include a double slide and will have a little more traditional look than the Phase I playground options.
One thing Mader did say was that the new equipment will feature one very important addition.
“It’s going to be very appealing to kids with autism, because children with autism like dark enclosed spaces like a cave or tunnel they can crawl in, which this equipment will have,” Mader said. “That will be a very important addition.”
Rhoda Mast, recently retired Holmes Board of DD principal, is spearheading the fundraising efforts to build the new addition to the playground in Phase II. She is joined by Dave Crilow, and the two are currently seeking donations from those who understand the value in building Phase II of the playground area.
All the donations will go through the Holmes County Association for Handicapped Citizens, making all donations tax deductible. The cost of the new equipment is approximately $130,000, and Mader said the fundraising committee has currently raised a little more than $50,000.
“I think kids will really be able to enjoy this playground and the many different options it provides once it is complete,” Mader said.
Any donations by check should be written out to Holmes County Association for Handicapped Citizens may be sent to the Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities at 8001 Township Road 574, Holmesville Ohio 44633.
If anyone has any questions about donating to the project, they can call Crilow at 330-674-8045.