Vision Statement:
The Rockland Rotary’s vision for their Centennial Project 2024 is to create a well-designed, inclusive playground to meet the needs of all children and adults in our community, as well as surrounding areas.
The Rotary “All Aboard” Playground at MacDougal Park will be one of only a few playgrounds in the State of Maine to incorporate inclusive playground equipment. Our project’s goal is to create a safe place for active, imaginative, and free play to enrich the social, emotional, and physical development for all children and adults.
The Playground:
What is an “Inclusive Playground” and how is it different from other playgrounds? An inclusive playground has specially designed equipment that takes away physical and social barriers to let children of all abilities feel included. The playground will sit on a flat rubberized surface to ensure mobility for wheelchairs and walkers, while providing softer landing when children fall. The playground structure includes ramps, wide aisles, swings and slides designed for children with limited or no mobility. Some swings are designed for children to lie down and for parents to use with small children.
The Land:
Located in the heart of Rockland, this land was previously home to Rockland’s MacDougal (North) Elementary School. Following the school’s closure in 2011, the building was demolished and the land has remained vacant for nearly a decade. In recent years, efforts have been made to build a space for learning and community. In 2017 the Rockland City Council unanimously declared the land a city park. The adjoining wetland areas and a recently built community garden encourage visitors to engage in their natural environment, while a cleared track of land is poised to support the development of our “All Aboard” playground. With the nearest all-inclusive playground 70 miles away, our goal is to provide much needed access to a playground that meets the needs of everyone who visits.
Give:
Rockland Rotary, with your support, endeavors to raise enough funds to provide an inclusive playground within walking distance to many of our most in need community members. The local school district reports 50.76% of students are economically disadvantaged with 22.55% of students in need of special services. Our initial club goal is to raise $200,000.
The local community has already shown their enthusiasm for the playground. We have received city council support and to date we have raised over $134,000 in funding from community members. With this seed money in place, we now are asking for support from individuals, businesses, and foundations in a position to catapult our vision into a reality.
Ways to Give:
Checks payable to: Rockland Rotary. Please include “All Inclusive Playground” in the subject.
Mail to: Rockland Rotary, P.O. Box 1811, Rockland, ME 0484l or visit our GoFundMe Page to give online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/rockland-rotary-inclusive-playground.
Thank you for your consideration.
WABI Television: https://www.wabi.tv/2022/03/11/rockland-rotary-starts-funding/
Village Soup: https://knox.villagesoup.com/2022/02/19/rockland-rotary-raising-funds-for-universally-inclusive-playground-in/
