From an early age, all kids, regardless of their abilities, want to play. Kiwanis Club of Stuart has long recognized the important role that parks and playgrounds play in a community. Their own research has shown that the earlier all children begin playing together, the less they recognize any differences in each other. For nearly three decades, the Kiwanis Park at Woodlawn (Kiwanis Park) in downtown Stuart has been a gathering place for children of all ages. The Kiwanis Club of Stuart is thrilled to announce they will soon be adding a barrier free playground to the current park so children with special needs will be able to learn, play and interact with all of their peers.
The Kiwanis Club has been partners with the City of Stuart since 1989 and have already built two playgrounds, pavilions, and restrooms at Kiwanis Park. Although the City of Stuart owns and maintains the park, the Kiwanis Club assists with the upkeep, purchasing, and building of the playground equipment. During the City of Stuart Commission meeting on March 9, Suzy Hutcheson, president of the Kiwanis Club of Stuart (and CEO of Helping People Succeed) presented a $100,000 check to the City of Stuart. These funds will be matched by the city to raise the $200,000 needed to build Phase 1 of the barrier free playground.
“Thousands of children and their families enjoy the parks every year. Although some local playgrounds have a few pieces of equipment designated for children with disabilities, there is no park of this kind in our area,” said Hutcheson. “Kiwanis Park will be transformed into a place that connects all children - with and without special needs. This will help to instill from a very young age the value of acceptance of an individual’s different traits and abilities. This is a value we hope the children will carry with them as they grow up.”
The $100,000 was raised in part through various Kiwanis Club of Stuart fundraising events, as well as through grants from the Florida District of Kiwanis Foundation, Martin County United Way Foundation and City of Stuart Community Advisory Committee.
Renderings have been completed, equipment has been selected, and a groundbreaking will be scheduled for late April. A Community Build is also in the planning stages for this May. All members of the community are invited to participate, roll up their sleeves, and help to create a park for every child.
The Kiwanis Club of Woodlawn Barrier Free Park will include wide ramps, slides, a smooth rubber ground surface, sensory equipment for those with autism or sensory issues, as well as a Sway Fun Wheelchair Glider. This glider will allow those who are wheelchair bound to swing for the very first time.
About Kiwanis Club of Stuart
The Kiwanis Club of Stuart has been providing community service to Martin County since 1938. The local club, composed of 48 members, is part of Kiwanis International, a global organization of volunteers who are dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.
Kiwanis is also involved in the community through Kiwanis Park, Helping People Succeed, ARC of Martin County, Holiday Shopping Spree for children in need, Healthy Families Graduation and Boy Scouts.
For more information about Kiwanis Club of Stuart visit www.kiwanisclubofstuart.org or www.facebook.com/kiwanisclubofstuart.
The Kiwanis Club has been partners with the City of Stuart since 1989 and have already built two playgrounds, pavilions, and restrooms at Kiwanis Park. Although the City of Stuart owns and maintains the park, the Kiwanis Club assists with the upkeep, purchasing, and building of the playground equipment. During the City of Stuart Commission meeting on March 9, Suzy Hutcheson, president of the Kiwanis Club of Stuart (and CEO of Helping People Succeed) presented a $100,000 check to the City of Stuart. These funds will be matched by the city to raise the $200,000 needed to build Phase 1 of the barrier free playground.
“Thousands of children and their families enjoy the parks every year. Although some local playgrounds have a few pieces of equipment designated for children with disabilities, there is no park of this kind in our area,” said Hutcheson. “Kiwanis Park will be transformed into a place that connects all children - with and without special needs. This will help to instill from a very young age the value of acceptance of an individual’s different traits and abilities. This is a value we hope the children will carry with them as they grow up.”
The $100,000 was raised in part through various Kiwanis Club of Stuart fundraising events, as well as through grants from the Florida District of Kiwanis Foundation, Martin County United Way Foundation and City of Stuart Community Advisory Committee.
Renderings have been completed, equipment has been selected, and a groundbreaking will be scheduled for late April. A Community Build is also in the planning stages for this May. All members of the community are invited to participate, roll up their sleeves, and help to create a park for every child.
The Kiwanis Club of Woodlawn Barrier Free Park will include wide ramps, slides, a smooth rubber ground surface, sensory equipment for those with autism or sensory issues, as well as a Sway Fun Wheelchair Glider. This glider will allow those who are wheelchair bound to swing for the very first time.
About Kiwanis Club of Stuart
The Kiwanis Club of Stuart has been providing community service to Martin County since 1938. The local club, composed of 48 members, is part of Kiwanis International, a global organization of volunteers who are dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.
Kiwanis is also involved in the community through Kiwanis Park, Helping People Succeed, ARC of Martin County, Holiday Shopping Spree for children in need, Healthy Families Graduation and Boy Scouts.
For more information about Kiwanis Club of Stuart visit www.kiwanisclubofstuart.org or www.facebook.com/kiwanisclubofstuart.
Kiwanis Park is located in Downtown Stuart at SE Colorado Ave and SE 5th Street.
Pictured above: The Kiwanis Club of Stuart presents a $100,000 check to the City of Stuart to create a barrier free park for children with disabilities. (From Left to Right: Keith Muniz, Ron Andersen, Barbara Essenwine, Robert Burson, Jeff Krauskopf; Suzy Hutcheson, Gary Hawken, Teresa Lamar-Sarno, Pat Grassick, Virginia Hill)
