News release from Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation, dated June 10, 2011 – see the webmaster’s note at the end of this post:
Taylor’s Dream Grand Opening
Indiana’s First Boundless Playground a Reality
(June 10, 2011) – Mayor Tom Henry, Taylor Reuille, and Parks & Recreation Director Al Moll dedicated Taylor’s Dream Boundless Playground in Kreager Park today. The event commemorates the long-awaited grand opening of Indiana’s first Boundless Playground. Joining the celebration were numerous financial supporters, residents and representatives from Boundless Playgrounds, CVS/pharmacy, PepsiCo, Turnstone, League for the Blind and Disabled, Playworld Midstates, YMCA, AWS and Easter Seals Arc.
Boundless Playgrounds is the leading nonprofit developer of truly inclusive playgrounds where children of all abilities gain the important developmental and physical benefits of unstructured play.
“This playground is even better than I imagined, and I know it’s because so many people worked together to make it a reality,” said Reuille. “Now my friend Mallory, who was my inspiration for this playground, can play with all the other kids. No one has to sit by the sidelines and feel left out anymore.”
“Indiana’s first Boundless Playground is here in Fort Wayne,” said Mayor Henry. “It is a model for how a community can come together to enhance facilities and improve the quality of life for all residents. This playground is proof that we must always dare to dream. Congratulations, Taylor. Dreams do come true. And thanks to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, English, Bonter, Mitchell Foundation, the Fort Wayne Park Foundation, the AWS Foundation, CVS/pharmacy, the Downtown Optimist Club of Fort Wayne, Pepsi, Dr. John Crawford and the hundreds of individuals, foundations, civic groups and corporations who are helping to make Fort Wayne a more open and welcoming community.”
Youth docents were on hand to demonstrate how to use the newly installed apparatuses, manufactured by Playworld Systems, a leading provider of imaginative playground equipment. The playground, which includes a splash pad, features three circular pods and activity areas on changing elevations, with connecting accessible ramps. In addition to the swings and climbing opportunities, a Boundless Playground provides activities that have been carefully planned for therapeutic and learning purposes.
The Alpha Pod, designed for younger children (2 – 5 years), provides opportunities for parallel play, group and solitary play. It also encourages role playing, socialization and creative, imaginative play.
The Beta Pod, designed for children of all ages (2-12 years), provides an intriguing, multi-sensory themed play area featuring a fossilized T-Rex skeleton, which is part of Playworld Systems’ Originsâ„¢ line, for exploration. Playworld Systems’ NEOS® 360, is the world’s first outdoor electronic play system that promotes competition and teamwork among all age groups. NEOS delivers a workout comparable to jogging or a game of soccer by combining the movement of aerobic exercise with the speed and dexterity of video games.
The Gamma Pod, designed for older children (5 – 12 years), offers broader opportunities for parallel play, group and solitary play. It also encourages role playing, socialization and creative, imaginative play. Motion is an important aspect of play in this area. The Aero Glider, a multi-user rocker, accommodates two wheelchairs, has a true 60″ turning radius on the glider platform and has handholds and footholds on the back sides.
“Taylor’s vision was the key catalyst behind this project, a vision that was embraced by our community to ensure this day would become a reality,” said Director Moll. “This grand opening celebration is a way to thank the hundreds of people who contributed their time and treasure to Taylor’s Dream Boundless Playground.”
Mayor Henry proclaimed June 10 as “Taylor’s Dream Day” and reminded citizens that Fort Wayne has earned the distinction of being a Playful City USA, dedicated to increasing awareness of accessibility, safety education and the importance of play. He urged citizens to continue to support and maintain play spaces and playgrounds for the well-being of this and future generations.
After Taylor’s Dream won the Pepsi Refresh Challenge last summer, the playground was awarded $70,000, $40,000 made possible by CVS/pharmacy, as part of their All Kids Can program and $30,000 from a Pepsi Refresh grant. Fort Wayne’s Boundless Playground was adopted by local CVS/pharmacy and Pepsi employees through the Adopt-a-Playground program. Employees will clean the playground three times each year for the next two years. For more information on how community groups and organizations can adopt a playground, visit www.fortwayneparks.org.
On a Boundless Playground all children can be in the middle of the fun. There are nearly 200 Boundless Playgrounds in 31 states and Canada, with dozens more under development. For more information about Boundless Playgrounds, visit www.boundlessplaygrounds.org.
Webmaster’s note I have several news releases from various organizations sitting in my inbox. Part of the mission of this blog is to keep a historic running record of the goings on in Fort Wayne. To that end, even though they are out of date, I am including this older news release.
Related Images:
