TRINITY COMMUNITY PARK PROJECT

Kids in our neighborhood have no place to play. Founded in 1985, Trinity was surrounded by farmland. Now, we’re surrounded by home developments. The nearest park is almost two miles away, over a freeway without sidewalks on a busy state highway, and there is no ADA-compliant park in the area. Recently, neighborhood kids have been using the church parking lot to ride bikes or scooters and play, especially since the pandemic began. We once had a playground, but we had to tear it down because it was becoming a safety hazard due to its age. The parking lot or a dusty gravel pit is all the neighborhood kids had.

We can fix that! Phase 1: Given that our church has several acres of land not being used, my husband and I aspired to build an accessible playground suitable for all abilities. So, we challenged our congregation to fund it, and successfully raised over $50,000. To save money over 50 volunteers help build Phase 1with a general contractor and a civil engineer donating their time and equipment. Thanks to our sponsors: Ehrhardt Construction, Infinite Disposal, Big R and the Arneson Foundation in making this a reality. Trinity Community Park includes a swing set, tire swing, ADA swing, toddler swing, spring toy, and a large climbing structure. In addition to the playground, we have built a wheelchair-friendly exercise and walking path for people of all ages, including senior citizens, and a free little library. Phase 1 is fully operational in summer 2022. While it will have a few items that are ADA compliant, we have learned there is a much larger need.

Monument needs a fully ADA-compliant playground. According to the ADA, an accessible playground must contain "an accessible path from the building or parking lot to the edge of the play area, an accessible path from the edge of the play area to the play equipment, plus surfacing that complies with ASTM F1951 specifications" (U.S. Access Board, n.d.). Additionally, a person needs to be able to access the equipment once they are in the play area by transferring out of their mobility device or directly accessing a play structure in their mobility device. The 2020 Census found that hundreds of Monument residents under age 65 have serious disabilities (United States Census Bureau, 2020). According to the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services, the closest universally accessible public playground to Monument is over 10 miles away. A park similar to our Phase 2 proposal is over 30 miles away. We plan to build Phase 2 with ADA-compliant ramps and surfacing, accessible swings, a wheelchair-accessible trail, a wheelchair-accessible merry go round, sensory elements and so much more. 

Thanks for your help. We are seeking $350,000 to complete Phase 2 in the form of grants as well as corporate, small business, and private funding. ADA requirements are not enough; being inclusive and diverse for all is more important. It’s not just about people with disabilities, it’s about everyone enjoying and sharing the benefits of play: physical, sensory and social. Inclusive playgrounds go beyond regular guidelines, they facilitate engagement between children. An accessible playground means that a child who uses a wheelchair can get into it. If it is inclusive, then the play activities have been selected and laid out so that someone in a chair can engage with people of different abilities while they play. This will be a place where a senior citizen and a grandchild can play together…creating unity!

We are dedicated to this crucial project in our community and to the children of today and tomorrow. We ask for your assistance in realizing our goals.

To donate or for more information, contact Tamara Schwarz at trschwarz@comcast.net or 719-351-0179.