A Universal Playground Through Cooperation

From Tootsie Rolls To Swing Sets, Knights of Columbus Gift Brings Joy To Niles Park District.

By Ray Ochromowicz and Bill Hughes

In February, 1982, representatives from the Knights of Columbus, North American Martyrs, Council 4338, approached the Niles Park District Board of Commissioners with the concept of developing a second playground in Niles that would be accessible to the handicapped. The concept involved a pledge by the Knights of Columbus, North American Martyrs, Council 4338, to donate $10,000 over a five year period to completely cover the cost of the purchase and installation of the specially designed equipment.

After a number of meetings to review types of equipment and costs an $11,000.00 budget was established. The Knights of Columbus pledged to donate $3,000.00 immediately and the remaining $8,000.00 over the next four years.

The equipment that was selected met all of the requirements that were set up in the original concept. Each piece had a specific function and together best complements the existing equipment already at the site. The equipment selected can be used and enjoyed by children in wheelchairs, children with mobility problems, children with crutches, pre-school children and children of all ages.

K. of C. Council 4338 has a strong commitment to helping the handicapped. Each year its members hold a Tootsie Roll fundraiser and use the money raised for various handicapped projects. With their commitment to this project, their $11,000.00 pledge over a five year period will come directly from their Tootsie Roll program.

The Niles Park District has shown its commitment to the handicapped by being an active participant in the Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation, an association made up of six park districts in a cooperative effort to offer recreational programs for the handicapped. This playground will be the Niles Park District's second playground built and designed to meet the needs of handicapped children. The first playground designed for the handicapped is located in Golf Mill Park at Church and Cumberland, just south of the Golf Mill Shopping Center in Niles.

Immediately following the dedication of the new playground, children of all ages flocked to test the new equipment.

The Niles Park District is proud of the many opportunities offered to the Special population in Niles. This particular project, Universal Playground, would not have been possible without the commitment of the Knights of Columbus and its very generous donation.

Walter Beusse (left), Niles Park District President, chats with a youngster ready to try out a swing for the handicapped.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Ray Ochromowicz, Administrative Assistant of the Niles Park District, is a graduate of Western Illinois University(B.S. in Parks and Recreation Administration, 1977).

Bill Hughes, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Niles Park District since 1974, is a graduate of Indiana State University (B.S. in Recreation, 1968).

Illinois Parks and Recreation    37    May/June 1983