THE BRIGHT SIDE
Delavan is to build Walworth County’s only ability-inclusive playground in June.
The Never Say Never Playland board, which was originally going to be placed in Veterans Park in Lake Geneva, has decided to pick up and move the coming installation to Delevan. The Never Say Never Organization decided to make Delevan its home largely because of the overwhelmingly warm, welcoming reception it received from the Delevan community and its parks and recreation department.
For Dusti Grenus, it started with swings, wishing her local playground near Lake Geneva had some. Her daughter, who is disabled, can’t use a regular swing set. That was in 2015. She raised money, called law offices for advice on how to start a nonprofit, and then started one. About a decade later, she reached her goal. Brian Wilson, Delavan’s city administrator, says it’s a natural fit for the city in Walworth County. He said public events, Brick Street Days, and Scarecrow Fest, always have ASL interpreters for children’s entertainment, and that it’s common in the courts and libraries as well. The 13,000-square-foot Never Say Never Playland will have a soft turf surface, which is flat and protective against falls. It’ll have an accessible merry-go-round and slides that prevent static electricity, which can damage cochlear implants. It’ll also have accessible swings, even for children in wheelchairs.
The playground is also meant for disabled adults who aren’t able to play with their children on regular playgrounds. Wilson said that Grenus’s nonprofit will contribute at least $340,000 towards the playground’s construction, with the city chipping in between $319,000 and $350,000. He said Delavan plans to build a bathroom next to the playground after it’s built, funded by money originally allocated to other parks that Wilson said are a “lower priority” now. Grenus called her collaboration with the City of Delavan “seamless.” She also said she’s “just thankful for all of our supporters.”
Build week is scheduled for June 2nd to 8th, and volunteers are still needed. Everything from construction captain to food coordinator. Construction captains must be present all 7 days of the build, overseeing and instructing volunteers and helping to maintain quality. The children’s committee oversees the committee’s activities and serves as contacts with teachers and families. The materials coordinator acquires the donated and purchased materials for the build and oversees distribution during the build. The tools coordinator gathers all the tools needed to build. Make sure they are safe and usable, and keep them organized and ready for each day. The public volunteers enlist as many people as possible for the build week. The food coordinator coordinates and arranges food from local restaurants for two meals and snacks a day for seven days. The childcare coordinator provides and organizes activities, games, and fun experiences while parents volunteer to build. The art and special features coordinator oversees special art features during the build. The design firm will help coordinate this from our rendering. Anyone interested in volunteering can visit the Never Say Never Playland Facebook page and fill out the volunteer form.
