OAK GROVE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Local leaders discussed making upgrades to Wades Way Park, including the addition of inclusive pathways and ADA-accessible equipment at the Oak Grove Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday.
Brian Knoll, a representative with a city playground grant, spoke to committee members via Zoom call. He showed three renderings of possible upgrades to the park including one with inclusive equipment and one without.
One rendering also showed an $100,000 upgrade with bigger playground structures and more equipment. It also featured inclusive pathways, concrete paths allowing children in wheelchairs to access the equipment from the parking lot. Knoll showed images of adaptive swings, noting that these are the most popular and requested items for inclusive playgrounds.
Currently, Wades Way Park is home to rusted decks, holes in equipment, and rusted swing clamps. “Most of the stuff is pretty old,” said Knoll. “Most of all, it is not inclusive to all children.”
The playground would also have new rubber mulch, made of recycled materials.
Members were urged to make a decision soon as they plan to use part of their ARPA funds which must be allocated by the end of the year, along with the playground grant to cover the cost.
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