By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–The city of Paris will be applying for a state grant to create an all-inclusive playground, to be located at Ogburn Park.
Some 25 people were on hand for Monday evening’s public input session called by city officials to announce the grant application and guage how much support there is from the public for such a venture.
The city is partnering with David and Shayna Miles of the Levi Miles Foundation in the design of the playground, which is envisioned as being even more inclusive than the BlueCross/BlueShield playground at Eiffel Tower Park.
City Manager Kim Foster said the State Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is providing funding to create more inclusive parks and playgrounds across the state. She said, if awarded, the city would be eligible for a maximum of $500,000 to create the plaground.
Citizens in attendance, as well as Mayor Kathy Ray and Commissioners Jackie Jones and Vickey Roberts, voiced their support for the project.
Foster noted that the BlueCross/BlueShield playground is 100 percent funded by BlueCross, “and we thought we were hitting how we wanted it, but in hindsight, it’s not as inclusive as it could be. We want to build on what we have started there. The BlueCross/BlueShield playground meets a need, but we want to go even farthe”.
As a Three-Star Community, Paris also is eligible to apply for a smaller grant for up to $50,000 to purchase and install a wheelchair swing. If awarded, the swing would be placed at Eiffel Tower Park, but would need safety upgrades so that it doesn’t pose a danger to children and adults while the swing is being used. Foster emphasized that will be a separate grant and separate project from the Ogburn Park inclusive playground.
Administrative Assistant Jessica Crouch showed a slide presentation of the individual pieces of equipment that would be installed at the Ogburn Park playground, including a unity spinner, mommy and me swing, aero glider, cozy cocoon, slither slide, zoom trax and more.
City officials just became aware of the grant three weeks ago and only have until Friday to apply. The public input session had been scheduled for last week, but had to be rescheduled due to HCMC scheduling a community forum at the same time.
Foster said those who want to do so can write letters of support for the project, which would bolster the application’s chances of success. People can email Jessica Crouch at jcrouch@cityofparistn.gov.
Foster said, “Our goal is inclusion in our parks so everyone can use them. I’m really proud of all of our parks and we’ve done a lot in the last few years. This has been on our radar for quite some time.”
David Miles said the Ogburn Park playground would cover some two acres and would utilize the available terrain. The Levi Miles Foundation board also is supportive of helping to raise funds for however much is not covered in a grant awarded to the city.
Crouch, who has a background in occupational therapy, said the closest all-inclusive playgroud is 60 miles from here. “We want this to stand out. That’s why we’re working with the Levi Miles Foundation on this.”
Shayna Miles said the plans also incude a family-size bathroom to accomodate wheelchairs and an adult changing table. “This will be a certified inclusive playground,” she said.
Foster said the announcement from the state would be made August 15, but even if the city is awarded the grant at that time, it would take up to two years to become a reality. “We’re super-excited about this, but we need people to be patient. It will take time for it to happen.”
Photo: City Manager Kim Foster points to a drawing of what the playground will look like. (Shannon McFarlin photo).