Archived News Release: August 18, 2016 - The City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services, together with the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, were presented with the final design of the universal access playground (UAP), titled "Abstract to Reality," on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The UAP will be constructed at Gallup Park. The design team, which included City of Ann Arbor Landscape Architect Amy Kuras, SmithGroupJJR and Landscape Structures Inc., will share the drawings later this fall, once the construction contract is awarded.
The Rotary Club has pledged $550,000 for the project budget. Additionally, a grant of $300,000 was awarded to the City of Ann Arbor in December 2015 by the Michigan Natural Resources trust fund board. The city Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage will fund $150,000 for the project.
Collyer Smith, the Rotary Club's 2016-17 president said, "We are thrilled to be at this point in making the universal access playground a reality, and it is due to a great partnership with the City of Ann Arbor, the DNR and all of our funders."
Construction will take place in 2017.
"We are thrilled to see a playground of this nature come to fruition in one of our city parks. This collaboration will allow children of all abilities to enjoy the limitless fun of a park playground. We look forward to the official groundbreaking next year," said Josh Landefeld, Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation deputy manager.
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2016 and has chosen to commemorate the milestone with a Centennial Playground Project at Gallup Park. This UAP is designed to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible exceeding standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act including features and surfacing that will be inclusive, stimulating and fun for all users, whether fully independent, or with mobility, sensory or visual impairments. Specific playground features include a water/sand play area, a sensory garden, adaptive swings and moving play activities such as whirl and spring riders with back supports. Other universally accessible features of the project include grills, picnic tables, benches, a fishing pier and a canoe/kayak launch.
Additionally, the project will reconfigure a portion of the Border-to-Border Trail (which is part of the Iron Belle Trail) within the park to make it safer for trail riders and children using the play equipment.
Ashish Sarkar, the Rotary Club's 2015-2016 president, said the playground will be a state-of-the-art facility designed to serve all — young and old, as well as those with and without physical challenges — and will offer a unique opportunity for families to enjoy the beauty of the Huron River.
In the past year, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor has additionally contributed more than 7,500 hours of service and $155,000 in contributions to local and international projects.
For further information about Rotary http://www.annarborrotary.org/node/1143. Learn more about Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services by visiting www.a2gov.org/parks.
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Pictured above: City officials and Rotary Club members gather for the UAP final design presentation Aug. 17, 2016. Standing with a ceremonial shovel is city Landscape Architect Amy Kuras, immediately to the right (her left) is Rotary President Collyer Smith. Standing at the foot of the banister is Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor.
