FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A ribbon cutting ceremony was held in Fond du Lac on Tuesday to celebrate the opening of a new playground and baseball complex for people with special needs.
Plamore Park is now home to a fully-inclusive playground accessible by children of varying abilities.
It is barrier-free, accessible by individuals with a range of motor skills and features a rubberized surface specially aimed for children with physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities.
Fond du Lac City Council President Keith Heisler, who has cerebral palsy, said the playground project was deeply personal for him.
“When I was a kid, places like this just didn’t exist. Now, it’s amazing to be able to say to any of the kids who have some of the challenges that I do — you’ve got a safe place to play, you’ve got a fun place to play and you’ve got a great place that you know your friends and family can play on along with you.”
The second new addition to Plamore Park is the Miracle League of Fond du Lac Complex, which boasts a custom-designed adaptive baseball field.
Made of rubberized turf, the field is fully-accessible by players with wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility devices and allows individuals with disabilities to move from base to base during baseball games.
Other highlights of the complex include wheelchair-accessible dugouts, wide walkways and all-accessible family restrooms.
Brooke Industries, Inc. — a social services organization — established a Miracle League chapter in Fond du Lac to offer children, teens and adults with special needs a safe and enjoyable baseball experience.
The goal of the new complex is to accommodate individuals with disabilities and encourage their participation by removing the barriers that would normally keep them off the field.
“This complex represents many years of dedication, perseverance and commitment by our donors and project partners. Your involvement in this project is far-reaching and will continue to enhance the lives of others for many years to come. And that, to us, is priceless,” said Kelli Hughes, executive director of Brooke Industries, Inc. “Everyone that has contributed to this project has made the dream of play a possibility at Plamore Park.”
