 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Indianapolis Playground 'Levels the Playing Field'
09/12/2007
Indianapolis - Rhodius Park and IPS William Penn School 49 will enjoy a new all-inclusive playground, thanks to a collaboration of community partners.
Mayor Bart Peterson, Indy Parks, The Allstate Foundation, and Riley Hospital's Injury Free Coalition for Kids will celebrate with students and staff in a special dedication ceremony of the Little Hands Playground at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14. The Rhodius Park playground is located at 1720 Wilkins Dr. in Indianapolis. At the ceremony, Tom Clarkson, field vice president of Allstate North Central region will present a grant from The Allstate Foundation for $10,000 for maintenance of the new playground.
School 49 students and volunteers from The Allstate Foundation will have a full day of activities before the dedication with safety activities including IFD's Survive Alive House and Clarian's Fitness and Nutrition Van. Volunteers will also put the final touches on the landscaping surrounding the new playground. The landscaping features native plants including a Kentucky coffee tree, sassafras trees, and witch hazel at ground level for kids to enjoy.
The only playground of its kind in Indianapolis, the structure is specially designed so that children with physical and intellectual disabilities and non-disabled kids can play together, side by side. School 49 meets the educational needs of approximately 120 children affected by disabilities. Adults with disabilities can use the playground to play with their children.
The all-accessible environment includes handicap paths from the parking lot to the playground, handicap accessible swings, shelter, picnic tables and wall panels. To protect all children, the playground has rubberized tiles to ensure a soft and even surface, even after heavy use.
But the playground isn't just for School 49 students. Located in Rhodius Park on the city's near south side, the improved site is expected to become a destination for as many as three thousand neighborhood children who attend nearby Daniel Webster School 46 or non-IPS schools.
Each summer, Rhodius Park is home to Camp Gather, which serves children ages six to 12 with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Campers are engaged and stimulated daily with a variety of multi-sensory activities. The playground will be an integral part of the nine-week program.
This is the second "Little Hands" playground provided to IPS by the Allstate Foundation and the Injury Free Coalition for Kids. Last year, Parkview School 81 on the east side was the fortunate recipient of a playground.
Rhodius Park is one of just five sites across the country - and the only one in Indiana - chosen to receive a playground this fall as part of a $370,000 commitment from The Allstate Foundation. The Allstate Foundation, in conjunction with Injury Free Coalition for Kids, local hospitals and communities, has dedicated 34 "Little Hands" playgrounds in 20 inner cities across America.