Plans are Forming for a Unique Playground

Article published Tuesday, May 20, 2014 by the Defiance Crescent

By TARYN LAWSON @cntarynlawson

WAUSEON — Early planning has begun on a project that would bring a unique playground tailor-made for children with special needs to Wauseon.

At a Monday meeting of the Wauseon City Council, city leaders were joined by Kevin Stamm, development director at Wauseon’s Sara’s Garden, 620 W. Leggett St.

Sara’s Garden is a non-profit organization specializing in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, autism intervention, conductive education and sensory integration.

Stamm presented the group with plans for a community-built playground – to be located east of the expansion at the organization’s Hope Center – that is not only handicap-accessible, but also what he called “handicap-inclusive.”

A lot of playgrounds have rams – that’s accessible,” Stamm said. “But there’s nothing for the kids who are in wheelchairs to do.”

Stamm provided the council with three quotes he obtained for handicap-inclusive playgrounds, ranging from $122,000 (plus an additional $75-80,000 for mandatory rubber surfacing) at the low end, to $387,000 (plus $250,000 for rubber surfacing).

Stamm, who expressed a desire to keep the cost “as low as possible,” said he plans for the playground to be open to the public.

To fund the project, Stamm discussed with council the possibility of obtaining money in the form of a grant from the city’s revolving loan fund (RLF), and added that he is currently working with the Fulton County Commissioners, the Rotary Foundation, and Rotary International to find funding as well.

Sara’s Garden will work to raise funds on its end too, Stamm said, with a golf outing, raffle, and upcoming casino night.

Councilman Kathy Huner called the fledgling endeavor by Sara’s Garden “an amazing gesture.”