Construction crews rolled out grass and planted shrubs behind a blue screen-covered fence early on Sept. 23 as runners on the Swamp Rabbit Trail passed by.
Behind the fence is a new inclusive playground coming to Cleveland Park that is soon to open to the public. It will be the city’s first inclusive playground, featuring wheelchair accessible ramps, special swings and sensory equipment for children of all abilities to enjoy.
Will Young, the deputy director of parks, recreation, and tourism for the City of Greenville, presented an update on Brooks’ Playground at a city council meeting on Sept. 22. There, the city council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to appropriate an additional $77,000 in donations to the park’s construction. The ordinance needs a second reading before the transfer of money is finalized.
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“We’re excited to open Brooks’ Playground next week at Cleveland Park spaning over 10,000 square feet,” Young said.
The new playground is named for Brooks Foster, who was diagnosed with pontine tegmental cap dysplasia, a rare condition causing her to be non-verbal, partially deaf and blind, and unable to walk on her own. The Foster family came up with the vision for the playground as an inclusive place where children of all abilities can play and develop physical, emotional and social skills.
Brooks’ Playground is located near shelter 6 in Cleveland Park at the intersection of Woodland Way and Lakehurst Street. In addition to the new equipment, the renovated space will have a rain garden, bathroom facility and picnic tables.
Young said that about $1.4 million in private donations have been raised for the park, while city has contributed $2.3 million in funding.
“We owe a lot of the success to the support of the Foster family, our partnership development manager Donna Carver, as well as the 150 donors that contributed to the project,” Young said.
Council member Wil Brasington spoke at the meeting about the park’s progress and said he had been out to see it firsthand.
“It looks phenomenal,” Brasington said. “I can’t wait not only for next Monday, but for all the days ahead when people enjoy this very special element of our parks.”
The city will hold a ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 to celebrate the playground’s opening. The community will have full access to the park on Sept. 30.
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com