Demonstration Site Exceeds ADA Guidelines
Situated along the Ohio River at the southernmost tip of the Hoosier state sits Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park in the county seat of New Albany, Ind. As a National Demonstration Site for inclusive outdoor play, the playground at KHMP exceeds guidelines for ADA accessibility. This was the selling point used by the Floyd County Parks and Recreation Department when the team launched the $1.3-million playground project seven years ago. But words alone didn’t extend far when it came to fundraising on such a scale. Superintendent Roger Jeffers realized that he had to show, rather than tell, to inspire donors and secure funding for the innovative design.
With the help of a film crew, the department captured the lived experiences of the county’s 2,200 special-needs children. They highlighted perspectives of community members who would directly benefit from an inclusive playground, and once donors connected with the faces in the promotional video and understood the personal impact of a donation, funds started to pour in.
In addition to a splash pad, the design included wheelchair accessible ramps and turf, sensory wave sound boards and shaded musical instruments for the visually and hearing impaired, and inclusive swings, slides, and zip lines that could be enjoyed by wheelchair users and able-bodied children alike.
With the help of grants and donations from Patronicity and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s matching funds, county residents raised over $109,000 towards the construction of the new accessible playground. As momentum for the project picked up after the promotional video, the playground received financial support from individual members of the community and larger charitable organizations who believed in the cause. The playground officially opened to the public on May 21, 2022.
For information on how to become a designated National Demonstration Site, visit https://www.playcore.com/nds.
--Information provided by Sierra Williams
KemperSports Launches KemperSports Venues
Northbrook, Ill.—KemperSports announced the launch of KemperSports Venues, a business unit that will serve and support its portfolio of youth and recreation sports facilities. KemperSports Venues will deliver sports experiences at facilities for athletes, parents, coaches, and guests, and bring new programming and events to its managed locations across the country.
The company operates a host of sports facilities, from small gyms to expansive sportsplexes. Currently, the company manages seven facilities that offer 10 sports.
For more information on KemperSports Venues, please visit www.kempersports.com/venues.