|
|
 |
Oak
Park-River Forest Community Foundation and the Park District
of Oak Park awarded grant for accessible recreation projects
November 8, 2007
The Oak Park and River Forest community is one of four
communities state-wide to be awarded an Access to Recreation
grant to enhance and expand recreational facilities into
fully accessible opportunities for people of all abilities.
With financial assistance from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation,
Longfellow Park will be transformed into a recreational opportunity
that people of all abilities can enjoy alone or with their
family and friends.
Gary Balling, Executive Director of the Park District
of Oak Park, details the many improvements to universal accessibility
planned for Longfellow Park made possible through inclusive
community planning, and by receiving this grant. “These
grant funds provided the opportunity to install a synthetic,
resilient, slip-resistant surface for the new 2-5 and 5-12
year old creative play areas which significantly heightens
accessibility. Adjacent to the playground will be a universally
accessible water play area. Unique play elements including
drums, bells and a sign language panel have also been added
to stimulate the senses and fuel the imaginations of all
users.” The project was awarded an additional grant
of $35,000 from the Good Heart Work Smart Foundation that
was critical in allowing the Park District to plan more accessible
features for the playground areas.
“Receiving this support is just the first step” notes
Community Foundation Program Officer, David Weindling . “We
will be seeking support from the community to fund an Access
to Recreation endowment that our community can use to strengthen
and expand universally accessible recreational opportunities
throughout the community.” The total grant awarded
of $222,000 includes a matching challenge amount of $67,000
for the purpose of building an endowment for the future.
Valerie Lies, President and CEO of the Donors Forum, who
will coordinate the Access to Recreation work in Illinois,
explains “The grants, which are awarded to community
foundations, help forge an important partnership between
the foundations and their local park districts, special recreation
associations, local groups and citizens who want to expand
recreational opportunities for all.
Additional
Longfellow Park Project information
|
