HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Josh Wagner, a representative with Miracle of Kentucky and Tennessee spoke at the Dec. 3 Hopkinsville City Council meeting to share design plans for the new Rotary Park.
Miracle specializes in universal and inclusive play, previously working with the city on designs for Joe Mumford playground, Trail of Tears playground, and the newly remodeled Westside Park.
“Inclusion starts with understanding,” Wagner told the council. “We want to design playgrounds that are feasible for children, from infant all the way to grandparents.” The proposed design prioritizes play for entire families, suiting the needs for kids of all ages and supplying comfortable spaces for adults who may have mobility issues to play along with their children.
Wagner shared their vision of the playground, which encompasses around 13,000 square feet. It features a sensory play area, music stations, swings, plenty of shade, clear sight lines, and tranquility areas where over stimulated kids can decompress. He added that the rubber alone to cover the ground could be as much as $54,000. Bids for construction will open on Dec. 5 and will be selected by the council at a later date.
It was previously decided that the city would use the $436,003 of unused FEMA funds to help cover rising costs for the park. Rotary Club of Hopkinsville previously donated $100,000 specifically for the development of the playground. It is estimated that additional fundraising will be necessary to cover all costs.
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