Universally Designed Play Park Nabs Major Funding
Efforts to build a new universally designed play park in Queens got a boost from the province.
The project has just received a $100,000 grant from the department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.
Debbie J. Wamboldt, chairperson of the play park fundraising committee says this announcement brings the total raised so far to $ 289,000, almost two-thirds the way to their $450,000 goal.
Wamboldt says the group has received support from all three levels of government through donations of land or funding.
But it’s the people and groups in Queens who have really thrown their arms around this project.
“If you ask on the street, I’m sure you’ll come across someone who will say, oh yes, I know about the play park and I’ve been to this fundraiser, or I’ve donated through this way. It’s just amazing. It’s amazing to see our community come together for this.”
Wamboldt says the idea for the play park came about just before the last municipal election in 2016.
“A group of parents that are in my circle with children with different needs, we came up with a list of things that weren’t being discussed in the municipal election.”
That list and a letter were presented to the mayoral candidates.
Wamboldt says their list was well received and after the election Mayor David Dagley sat down with her in her kitchen to ask which issues were the highest priority.
She determined because most of the existing play parks are located either by busy streets or waterways a safe play area for the children belonged at the top of the list.
“That’s really a safety issue for especially for people who have autism and children with autism as they can either bolt into traffic or they’re drawn to water.”
Wamboldt and her group learned about the seven principles of design, which guide architecture or design to suit people of any ability or age.
They determined building a play park around those principles would be best not only for autistic, but the broader community.
“Play certainly builds community connection. So I think we can all understand a little better why this park is going to mean so much, to not just Queens County, but to the surrounding areas.”
The group is working with two different firms on a design for the play park and is still trying to come up with the rest of the funding.
Wamboldt says they waiting to hear back on a few more government grants but community fundraisers like their Touch A Truck event had to be cancelled due to COVID-19.
Anyone wishing to donate can do so through the Queens Universally Designed Play Park Facebook page.
Reported by Ed Halverson
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson