Syracuse playground coming for disabled kids
Construction will begin in August on the first phase of Chloe's Sunshine Playground, a large park for children with disabilities. The playground upon completion will cost about $1 million, its first phase costing $400,000.
SYRACUSE — After five years of behind-the-scenes work in collecting funds, construction on the first phase of Chloe’s Sunshine Playground, a large park accessible to children with disabilities, will begin this month.
The first phase of the two-phase project will cost $400,000, with the park expecting to cost about $1 million to develop.
The playground will be built at Syracuse City’s Centennial Park, 1800 S. 2000 West, Syracuse City Economic Development Planner Noah Steele said.
“To make this project possible, there have been many local fundraising events, very generous donations from local businesses and residents, and a federal grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund,” Steele said in a prepared statement.
“These valiant efforts have raised approximately $400,000 which is sufficient to begin the first phase of construction,” Steele said.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the park is scheduled for 5 p.m. Aug. 12.
The playground is named after 7-year-old Chloe Bennett, formerly of Syracuse, who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and West syndrome, which limit her ability to speak, walk, and to play on traditional playground equipment with other kids, according to officials.
This separation inspired Chloe’s mother, Tara Bennett, to gather support to create a place where Chloe and other children can play together.
“We are excited to see inclusion so all kids can play together,” Bennett told the Standard-Examiner.
Bennett said she is grateful for all of those who have supported the project she initiated more than five years ago when she approached then-Mayor Fred Pannucci with the concept.
From there, the next mayor, Jamie Nagle, spearheaded the effort to raise the necessary funds for the project, Bennett said.
Based on the country’s flat economic conditions at the time, Bennett said, she is not surprised at the amount of time it has taken to raise the funds needed for the first phase of the project.
“It is an expensive playground. But it will be a huge asset to the city,” Bennett said.
The second phase of the project is to include a park splash pad and stand-alone restroom facilities, she said.
Currently, public restrooms for the play area are located in the neighboring Syracuse Community Center, Bennett said.
Syracuse City and Davis County leaders suspect the unique park will draw visitors from all over the Top of Utah.
“This playground will have a regional appeal to families that have children with disabilities,” City Manager Brody Bovero said.
The first phase of the park is expected to be complete by mid-October, Bennett said.