Efforts to build a new universally designed play park in Queens got a boost from the province.<\/p>\n
The project has just received a $100,000 grant from the department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Wamboldt says the group has received support from all three levels of government through donations of land or funding.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s the people and groups in Queens who have really thrown their arms around this project.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you ask on the street, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll come across someone who will say, oh yes, I know about the play park and I\u2019ve been to this fundraiser, or I\u2019ve donated through this way. It\u2019s just amazing. It\u2019s amazing to see our community come together for this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wamboldt says the idea for the play park came about just before the last municipal election in 2016.<\/p>\n
\u201cA group of parents that are in my circle with children with different needs, we came up with a list of things that weren\u2019t being discussed in the municipal election.\u201d<\/p>\n
That list and a letter were presented to the mayoral candidates.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s really a safety issue for especially for people who have autism and children with autism as they can either bolt into traffic or they\u2019re drawn to water.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wamboldt and her group learned about the seven principles of design, which guide architecture or design to suit people of any ability or age.<\/p>\n
They determined building a play park around those principles would be best not only for autistic, but the broader community.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlay 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Anyone wishing to donate can do so through the Queens Universally Designed Play Park Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n