Smiles, giggles, laughter and the dream of a playground accessible to all children is the vision of a newly formed “Imagine Play for All” task force working to raise $300,000 for a 10,000-square-foot, barrier-free playground at Les Gove Park in Auburn.

“The City of Auburn has a fantastic park and recreation system with a variety of play equipment, spray pools, fields, and courts. However; it is our vision to add to these amenities and build a unique, regional barrier-free playground that allows all children to play side-by-side in a place where compassion and acceptance flourish,” notes Lynn Norman, City of Auburn Councilmember and barrier-free task-force member.

With a goal of completing the fund raising efforts by the spring of 2010, the task force kicked off its fundraising efforts this week. Barrier-free task force members will be out in the community talking with service clubs, businesses, foundations, citizens and others to help fund this unique regional playground. The new playground would replace a former play structure, originally installed in the 1960s that is not universally accessible and in need of an update.

Barrier-free playgrounds are designed with the physical, sensory and developmental abilities of all children in mind – where children of all abilities can learn together through play, developing essential life skills. The unique features include universally accessible pathways and surfacing; play structures configured to support all levels of development; ramps, bridges, and transfer stations – allowing every child to reach the highest play deck; elevated sand tables, interactive walls, activity panels, and auditory elements; cozy spots where everyone can gather; swings and bouncers with back support; sensory-rich and tactile surfaces and activities that stimulate the imagination; and equipment that provides diverse play opportunities for all, including tunnels, waist-level play areas, and other barrier-free options. A barrier-free playground far surpasses the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

“Often, children with disabilities are left to sit and watch their able-bodied friends and siblings play and sometimes, parents or grandparents with disabilities are unable to access the playground with their able-bodied children. We want to ensure everybody has the opportunity to play together at this new barrier-free playground,” said Linda Cowan, former Auburn School District Superintendent and task force member.

Everyone is invited to participate in the Imagine Play for All campaign and the following donation levels are available to help fund the project:

• Playground Leadership Circle ($20,000 plus)

• Playground Best Friend ($12,500-$19,999)

• Playground Friend ($7,500-$12,499)

• Playground Buddy ($2,500-$7,499)

• Playground Pal ($500-$2,499)

• Playground Companion ($100-499)

• Playmate ($25-99)

Donations can be made by corporations, businesses, foundations, or individuals and are being accepted by the City of Auburn’s non-profit 501(c)(3) community partner, the Northwest Parks Foundation.

To make a gift to the Imagine Play for All campaign by credit card please visit NW Park’s secure Web site at www.nwparks.org, choose “donate now”, and reference Auburn’s Imagine Play for All campaign. To make a donation by mail, please send a check to the Northwest Parks Foundation, c/o Auburn Imagine Play for All, PO Box 605, Woodinville, WA 98072-0605. Matching gifts are also encouraged.

For additional details about the project, please call the City of Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation Department at 253-931-3043 or the Northwest Parks Foundation at 425-284-0420.