The Rotary Club of Hopkinsville has given a $100,000 kickstart to a city fundraising campaign to construct a new ‘inclusive’ playground on Pardue Lane.
Parks and Recreation officials say the public-private fundraising goal for the playground is $900,000 and citizen organizers will soon begin a campaign with a target of raising enough funds to build a 17,000 square foot playground that serves kids and adults with mobility and sensory challenges.
Brandon Killebrew is this year’s Rotary Auction chair and says, “We are very proud and excited about this opportunity to continue serving the young people of Hopkinsville and Christian County. We believe this investment in our community will create opportunities for siblings and friends to play and grow together in ways we’ve not imagined before, and will ultimately be an asset to our community and to our youth.”
City Council recently accepted and recognized Rotary’s significant gift by renaming the former Pardue Lane Park to Rotary Park at Pardue Lane. Council heard plans last year and authorized funds for major development of the park, including walking trails, pavilions and a basketball court. Plans also called for a modest traditional playground before a local citizen group, led by investment advisor Holly Bivins, approached council to consider a more expansive, inclusive playground as part of the development, which was ultimately approved.
Bivins says, “When children and adults of all abilities can share the same space, they’ll take that acceptance and understanding with them into other areas of their lives. That is a rippling positive impact. Play is a connector and we are so excited and grateful that there will be a place for anyone and everyone to play together.”
The group anticipates funding from private citizens, industry and business and through grants dedicated to inclusive playground development. Donations can be made to the project either through Rotary (a non-profit 501c3) or through Parks and Recreation, where gifts will be placed in a trust fund set up for the inclusive playground.