FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – The City of Florence’s first all-inclusive playground is built, but cannot open.
City of Florence Recreation Manager, Darlene Buchanan, said among other things, the park doesn’t have the fencing it needs to open.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t have the funds to complete everything we wanted to complete on this project at the time we need to complete it,” Buchanan said. “We need to bring the concrete, the asphalt, and the proper Americans with Disabilities Act ramp access to a facility like this.”
Buchanan said the playground also needs proper ramps, sidewalks, and handicap parking.
The City is working with the community group ‘I Play Florence’ which is made up of parents with children who have disabilities.
Erika Chapman has been a champion behind the project with her 9-year-old daughter, Suubi by her side.
“She has cerebral paulsy, and a visual impairment, she came home from Uganda about four years ago,” Chapman said. “She has changed our lives for the better, and made us so much more aware of the need for inclusion in our society.”
Chapman said she wants to see all of her children play together on one playground.
“I don’t want her to have to always sit on the sidelines,” said Chapman.
Chapman walked the caution-taped playground with Suubi on Friday.
“On such a pretty day like today, it would be an ideal day to be here with other friends,” she said.
The playground has everything from harnessed swings, a teeter-totter, and merry-go-round which are accessable to children of all abilities.
“I want her to be able to play on this before she gets old enough where she doesn’t really want to be in swings on a playground,” said Chapman. “If other cities can make it happen in South Carolina, there’s no reason we can’t do it in Florence.”
The City of Florence’s Parks and Recreation Department has entered to win a $20,000 grant from the National Recreation and Park Association.
Suubi’s brothers said they want to win the grant to be able to play with their sister.
“It’s a lot of fun just to be able to see her swing because she doesn’t get to enjoy things like that,” said 14-year-old Hague Chapman. “So even just seeing her happy would be enough for me.”
12-year-old Eli Chapman agreed with his brother.
“It means a lot to us because during the summer she goes to her camp, and that’s the only time she’s really happy,” he said. “Seeing her happy, it makes us happy that she loves it, and we know that we need it here in Florence.”
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