TOMAHAWK, WI (WSAU-WXPR) — A non-profit group in Tomahawk hopes to build what it says would be the first all-inclusive playground in the area.
The group has an ambitious fundraising goal, but it hopes to meet the goal by the end of the summer. Tomahawk Together, a group promoting healthy kids and families, is eyeing the Washington Square Park in Tomahawk for the inclusive playground.
“An inclusive playground, in its most perfect definition, is a playground where children have the ability to play together, interactive play, as opposed to a playground where they have a swing set up where a child in a wheelchair could be lifted up onto a single swing or a child in a wheelchair could have a wheelchair pushed up onto a piece of equipment but they still play by themselves,” said Cathy Schmit of Tomahawk Together.
The plans for the playground include installing a surface that would allow mobility for all users. “We’ve [also] included what the company calls serenity pods where a child, any child, not just a child with autism, I think everybody needs a chance to be alone for a little bit, where a child can perch and sit quietly and observe and not have to do that interactive play if they choose not to,” Schmit said.
Tomahawk Together estimates the playground will cost more than $300,000 to build. Schmit is hoping the group can raise the money this summer and begin building by the fall.
“We just really want to be that number one community where our own families and our own children can come, but we would invite other families to come from other communities to be a part of the play,” said Schmit.
If enough money is donated, the playground might also include zip lines. Donations can be made by check made out to Tomahawk Together and sent to Cathy Schmit, 505 Charles Avenue, Tomahawk, WI, 54487. Schmit can be reached at 715-612-8105.
An all-inclusive playground can also be found in Wausau at JoJo’s Jungle in Brockmeyer Park.
