Renovations Planned at Sartell Lions Regional Park

(KNSI) – Three Lions chapters are teaming up for a massive renovation at Sartell Lions Regional Park. The $400,000 project aims to make the playground space as inclusive as the rest of the facility. Sartell Lions member Stu Giffin says when the park was first built in 2004, paths were laid wider than normal to help accommodate wheelchairs. The grade of each path was leveled as much as possible to make them usable by people of all ages with disabilities and special needs.

Everything, that is, except the playground, says Giffen. “The traditional playground that is there is certainly used, and it’s popular, but indeed it is traditional. And it excludes a segment of the population, special needs children,” he says.

The Le Sauk, Saint Stephen, and Sartell Lions clubs aim to put down a special surface, similar to a rubber mat over 6,500 square feet. It is soft and prevents slipping. Tactile boards and symphonic instruments are also planned. Ramps will be set up to allow special needs children to continue to interact with others, even while one is using monkey bars or other elevated equipment.

Giffin says one addition will anchor the redesign. “One of the features is going to be a merry-go-round, by which the wheelchair can actually be wheeled right into the merry-go-round and the caregiver next to them, and then it will rotate,” says Giffin.

Approximately $100,000 will come from a Lions Matching Grant. The fundraising campaign kicks off from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Sartell’s Blue Line Sports Bar and Grill on May 22nd. A golf outing at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course is scheduled for July 25th.

Donations can be made through the Sartell Inclusive Park Project Gofundme page or by check. All checks should have ‘Inclusive Playground’ in the memo line. They can be mailed to The Waters Church or dropped off at Liberty Bank.

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