Community Corner

Accessible Play Reignites Spark to get All-Inclusive Playground

After bumps in the road, Angie's Playground looks like it could become a reality for Florissant.

The non-profit organization has added a few new board members as well as revamped its website and social media efforts to move the project further.

In recent years, Accessible Play had lost momentum and had stalled in its fundraising efforts to build Angie’s Playground, named after Behlmann’s daughter who passed away at the age of 7 after dealing with cerebral palsy. The all-inclusive playground will be able to cater to children of all abilities.

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Matt Bay, a new board member for the organization and the director of media relations, said that a lot has happened in the past few months with the organization but with one goal in mind.

“We’re going to get this thing done,” he said.

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He said since May, the organization has rekindled its relationship with Florissant Parks and Recreation department, added three new board members and begun meeting with civic groups to get the word out about the all-inclusive playground.
Bay has also taken the lead on a make over for the website and putting energy back into the Facebook page and launching a Twitter account.

“We’re trying to show the community what accessible is and what it is to be inclusive,” he said. “We’re going to continue moving forward.”

Bay said that the playground will not happen overnight, but that the organization remained committed to get the North County community on board and get them excited for it.

As a start on its financial front, the organization has worked with Gettemeier’s Bar and Grill to host a golf tournament, Sept. 9, at Glen Echo Golf Club.

Bay said that the goal remains to put Angie’s Playground at Manion Park in Florissant, even if it could mean scaling back, but that it would be for all of North County to enjoy.

“This isn’t about just Florissant, this is for North County,” he said.

For more information on Accessible Play visit its website or Facebook page. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact the organization at info@accessibleplayinc.org.


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