Pat Tigges explains the proposal for an all-inclusive playground area at Graham Park during Monday’s Carroll City Council meeting
A group of residents have been working for several years on bringing an all-inclusive playground system to Graham Park in Carroll. Pat and Allie Tigges, along with Kim Hackett, presented some of the details of their proposal to the Carroll City Council on Monday night. The Tigges’ son, Kellan, who was given a diagnosis similar to cerebral palsy, has been the inspiration for Kellan’s Kingdom. Pat says shortly after Kellan was born, they realized there was a difference between handicap accessible and handicap usable and that there were many other area children, 30 student in kindergarten through sixth grade alone, who could benefit from this playground addition. And this, he says, does not include those at New Hope Village. The cost of the all-inclusive playground system is $80,000 and there is an additional $52,000 in the expense for the surfacing. Pat says that base is a key component.
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Graham Park was a natural choice for placement of the equipment that can be used by anyone. There are a wide variety of activities that take place in the park and across the road at the ball parks and the rec and aquatic centers. Hackett adds that Graham Park also offers parents the ability to bring all of their children to one location and keep them in close proximity to each other for ease of supervision. Allie says the planned play area is ideal for wheelchair and stroller traffic.
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Pat points out that in addition to $50,000 of Hotel/Motel Tax being provided by the city and the grant possibilities available, they are reaching out to local businesses and will be conducting other fundraising events at the park to bring awareness and to help cover the $132,000 total price.
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For Pat and Allie and all other parents of children with special needs, the simple addition of some playground equipment can make a dramatic impact on all of their lives.
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The group will be filing an application for a tax ID number for Kellan’s Kingdom to more easily cash flow and account for donations and payments for the project. The group was simply requesting that the Carroll City Council approve the project so that fundraising efforts and plans for placement can move forward. The council unanimously approved this request. Images of the all-inclusive playground equipment options can be found below.