The Mosaic Center held a grand opening for its new inclusive playground in Evans on Wednesday, Oct 26.
This inclusive playground has equipment and is designed for kids with disabilities but also still provides fun for everyone in the family.
“It’s the first fully sensory playground designed for kids with disabilities in Columbia County,” said The Rev. Carolyn Moore, pastor of the Mosaic Church. “It offers a whole different playground experience for kids who have special needs, and it’s open to the public.”
During the grand opening, Moore thanked everyone who was involved in supporting the construction of the playground. More than 100 donors supported in the creation of the playground.
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“I deeply humbled and grateful to see so many good hearts come together to make this happen,” Moore said. “Leadership Columbia County, Easterseals, The Center for New Beginnings, a number of area businesses and tons of individual donors beyond our usual base, they all came together to make this happen, so it is truly a community playground.”
The inclusive playground features appropriate sensory and ability-level play pieces for children with autism and other conditions. The playground features many specialized activities including The Reflex, The Ten Spin, Sensory Panels, the pirouette, the Jumping Bean, the Surfer and the Concerto Cabasa, chimes, congas and vibes. The playground equipment and activities are designed to help children with balance, movement, the body’s ability to sense movement and action and visual skills.
This became a two-year project due to pandemic and the price of playground equipment according to Tiffany Heitzman, Executive Director for the Homebuilders Association.
“It has been a long road with of course supply chain issues during COVID, but it is really gratifying,” she said. “Kids need to be able to play inside and outside and this give this that opportunity to play outside with safe equipment and there able to be themselves”
The playground is open seven days a week.
Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
