April 21, 2010 – A groundbreaking ceremony was held today in Girard Park for the construction of Parc Independence – Lafayette’s first playground specifically designed for children with physical and mental disabilities.  A joint venture between Lafayette Consolidated Government’s Parc and Recreation Department and the Kiwanis Club of Lafayette, the playground is expected to open this summer.

Designed by Lafayette architect Albert Moliere, Parc Independence is designed specifically to accommodate children that have physical and mental disabilities by eliminating separations, thereby allowing all children to play together.  Some features of the playground include extra-wide entrances and ramps to provide access for wheelchairs and other personal equipment, specially-designed swing sets to accommodate wheelchairs, limited entrance and exit points to assist parents and guardians in watching over their children, and many more features typically not considered in park design.  Because even the smallest design elements can create the largest obstacles for many children with disabilities, careful attention has been paid towards making the Park ADA-compliant.  The intent is to eliminate barriers and create a place where all children can play together – regardless of abilities.

Miracle Recreation Company representative Tracey Kincade of Kincade Recreation has been working closely with the Kiwanis Club on designing an optimum playground layout with specially designed playground equipment for children with disabilities.

Kemper Bowen, with the Kiwanis Club of Lafayette says, “This playground is a great project towards servicing the needs of all the children of Lafayette – providing a safe, interactive and adaptable playground for children of all capabilities.”

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world – one child and one community at a time.