Photo Credit: Courtesy of Pam Solga / Grand Forks ARC Upper Valley
The folks in Grand Forks, N.D., have discovered dreams really do come true when production is driven by a persistent teen and a committed community.
Ali Karpenko was determined to make her dream come true--to build a Boundless Playground for kids with disabilities and their families. In March 2007, she attempted to win a $300,000 playground through a Playskool essay contest. Her essay made it into the top 20 out of 900 applicants, but did not receive the grand prize. Even so, Ali--who was born with spina bifida--was determined to make it happen.
“I am very blessed, as I have a very mild case of it. Many of the problems I face are hidden to most, as I am very physically able. I did not begin the playground project for myself. I’m doing it for the kids like me who have a disability, but aren’t as lucky as I am,” she says.