Missouri Kiwanis Club Wins Inclusive Playground from Landscape Structures, Kiwanis International
Delano, Minn. (PRWEB) June 10, 2016 -- Children and families in Poplar Bluff, Mo., with special needs will benefit from a $25,000 playground won during the international Legacy of Play® Contest, sponsored by Landscape Structures Inc. and Kiwanis International. The Poplar Bluff Kiwanis Club submitted the winning essay describing why their community needs a new playground.
Known as “The Gateway to the Ozarks,” Poplar Bluff is located along the Black River in Southeast Missouri. With a population of slightly more than 17,000 residents, Poplar Bluff is the county seat and regional hub of education, health care and business. The $25,000 award will help complete the city’s main recreation space, Kiwanis Bacon Memorial Park, with inclusive playground equipment to accommodate children and families with special needs.
In collaboration with other local organizations including Fearless Social, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Ozark Family Resource Agency, Poplar Bluff Realty, Anderson Tree Preservation and the Poplar Bluff School District, the Poplar Bluff Kiwanis club will install a safe and inclusive play environment to welcome children of all abilities from the five surrounding counties.
“We are thrilled to have been awarded $25,000 for our inclusive playground project,” said Subrina Berger, president of Poplar Bluff Kiwanis club, who spearheaded the contest entry and dropped the phone when Kiwanis International called with the good news. “With the help and faith of our incredible Kiwanis club, we finally met the goal we set two years ago to create a space in Kiwanis Bacon Memorial Park where children with special needs, toddlers and older kids can play together without fear of being hurt or left out. I speak for the entire Poplar Bluff Kiwanis club when I say how much we appreciate this award.”
“On behalf of Landscape Structures, I would like to congratulate the Poplar Bluff Kiwanis club on winning the Legacy of Play contest,” said Pat Faust, president of Landscape Structures. “We look forward to working with Poplar Bluff Kiwanis club and the community of Poplar Bluff to create an inclusive playground design that will truly welcome children of all abilities to play together.”
The Legacy of Play Contest was started in 2013 to encourage Kiwanis clubs to bring play and playgrounds to communities around the world. Landscape Structures and Kiwanis International believe playgrounds are gathering spaces that bring communities together to learn, have fun and connect. Landscape Structures, headquartered in Delano, Minn., is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of commercial play equipment. Kiwanis International is a global organization of members of all ages, dedicated to serving the children of the world.
“Kiwanis International is delighted to award the Poplar Bluff Kiwanis club $25,000 in playground equipment to help build a new inclusive playground,” said Pam Norman, director of corporate partnerships for Kiwanis International. “With the nearest inclusive playground nearly 100 miles away, the community of Poplar Bluff has an urgent need for updated playground equipment and the Kiwanis Club of Poplar Bluff brings the determination and support to make this dream a reality.”
The Poplar Bluff Kiwanis club will complete its inclusive playground project on or around Kiwanis One Day in October 2017. One Day is Kiwanis International’s signature day of service during which many clubs participate in service projects benefitting their local communities. To find a Kiwanis club near you, go to Kiwanis.org/findaclub.
About Kiwanis International
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global organization of clubs and members dedicated to serving the children of the world. Kiwanis and its family of clubs, including Circle K International for university students, Key Club for high school students, Builders Club for middle school students, Kiwanis Kids for elementary school students and Aktion Club for adults living with disabilities, annually dedicate more than 18 million hours and raise more than $100 million to strengthen communities and serve children. Nearly 670,000 adult and youth members in more than 80 countries and geographic areas comprise the Kiwanis International family. For more information about Kiwanis International, visit http://www.kiwanis.org
About Landscape Structures Inc.
Since 1971, Landscape Structures Inc. has been the leading commercial playground equipment manufacturer in the world. The employee-owned company is committed to creating a better world by encouraging outdoor activities that develop healthy kids, families and communities. Landscape Structures designs better playgrounds that welcome all ages and abilities, become signature gathering spaces for communities and offer the most innovative play experiences. The company’s mission from day one has been to enhance children’s lives by fostering and creating inspiring play experiences while honoring the environment.
Kristin Anderson, Landscape Structures Inc., http://www.playlsi.com, +1 (763) 972-5536, [email protected]
Share this article