The fundraising efforts, which began in May, received a huge boost in July when the nonprofit received a $750,000 grant from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Forever Parks Foundation aims to raise $960,000 to begin the next steps in bringing the inclusive park to Pearland at the Sports Complex at Shadow Creek Ranch, said Nikki Kamkar, board member at Forever Parks Foundation.
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"It's been heartwarming to us how people have heard this story and heard the need for such a playground and really stepped up to donate," Kamkar said. An inclusive playground allows children of all abilities and developmental stages to play in the same space and creates a nurturing environment for all, state Rep. Ed Thompson, R-Pearland, wrote in a Facebook post. Thompson helped Forever Parks Foundation secure the TPWD grant, Kamkar said.
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If Forever Parks Foundation can reach its $960,000 goal, the plan is to break ground in January 2022 and finish by spring 2022.
Some of the features the inclusive playground will include are a wheelchair swing, a sensory tunnel, a music area, a bird-themed hut and a gallery walk with 3D images. The playground can even be used for physical therapy, Kamkar said.
Once the playground is built, there will be a wall near the entrance recognizing all the donors who contributed $500 or more, Kamkar said.
"I think this is going to be one of these ... things that make Pearland so special," Kamkar said.
To donate, visit https://forever-parks-foundation.constantcontactsites.com.
This story comes from our ABC13 partners at Community Impact Newspapers.