DALLAS – The City of Dallas on Tuesday will break ground on a community-funded, disabilities-accessible playground at Flag Pole Hill in the Lake Highlands neighborhood.
According to Dallas parks officials, the playground will contain all-inclusive features to accommodate children and adults of all abilities.
The inclusive playground project will cost approximately $750,000 and is expected to be completed by mid-September, the city says.
The park will be funded by a combination of bond dollars from 2017 and $285,000 in donations, according to a press release. The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation is pitching in $135,000, with another $150,000 coming from the Lake Highlands Junior Women’s League, the Lake Highlands Exchange Club and the Lake Highlands Women’s League – all organizations that promote inclusion among children.
For the Love of the Lake Foundation, a group dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of White Rock Lake, provided the park’s schematic design.
City renderings show the playground being built around the park’s live oak trees, which the city says will provide shade and preserve the land.
“Playgrounds are for everyone. They are places for interactive enjoyment,” said Willis C. Winters, director, Dallas Park and Recreation Department. “As an addition to our park system, Dallas Park and Recreation continues its vision to plan parks and build recreational facilities that benefit Dallas’ diverse communities and create livable neighborhoods.”
Members of the Dallas city council and park and recreation board will be on hand for a groundbreaking ceremony at Flag Pole Hill Tuesday at 9 a.m.
The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation says it focuses on raising funds and awareness for four main philanthropic causes: youth with special needs, junior golf, military families and pediatric cancer. Spieth’s sister, Ellie, has special needs and the three-time major winner has called her an inspiration throughout his rise to PGA stardom.
“I am excited about this project because the Lake Highlands community truly came together for the benefit of ALL,” said city councilmember Adam McGough. “Jordan Spieth and his family foundation created the call, and our community really stepped up at answer that call. It is a huge honor that this playground will be associated with such a servant minded champion and that so many neighbors are the ones who contributed to make this happen.”
See the proposed plan for the new park, courtesy of the City of Dallas, below:
