A local committee organizing the first playground in Peachtree City designed specifically for children with special needs is moving forward with its plans now that a site has been officially determined.

The All Children's Playground Committee recommended Picnic Park, behind City Hall and the library, as the best site for the facility, and the Recreation Commission formally approved that recommendation at last week's regular monthly meeting.

A number of sites were considered, and Picnic Park was found to have a number of advantages, such as better accessibility, a flat play area and considerable parking, as well as a covered pavilion nearby.

The committee is moving quickly, meeting nearly every week. Now that the site is official, work can move forward on the brochure and promotional materials that will be made to help solicit funds from various businesses and individuals in the community.

Contact has been made with a number of playground companies and vendors, and the committee is looking at a number of possibilities in its search for what it thinks is the best equipment for the most children, according to committee chairman Colleen Sugar.

Some traditional playground features will need to be fine-tuned for this facility, she added, such as adding ramps instead of steps in many areas, including paneled stations where children can stand or sit in one place and play, and avoiding wood chips or other hard surfaces beneath their feet that could make it more difficult for them to move around.

“The right surface can cost almost as much as structures themselves,” she said.

The committee is expecting a cost of more than $100,000 by the time the project is completed. Donations are already being accepted through the Recreation Department.

Just how much money is raised will determine how elaborate the playground can be, with possible features such as separate areas for children of different ages, Sugar said.

A number of local groups such as Brownies and Boy Scouts have expressed an interest in helping get the project going, said Sugar. The committee will be contacting all of the service groups and civic organizations in the community as well.

The only definite fund-raising event on the calendar right now is a golf tournament scheduled for Oct. 9 at one of the courses in Peachtree City.

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page