Volunteers needed to build Flagship playground

PORT CLINTON - Building dates for the area's first all-inclusive handicap-accessible playground have been set and volunteers are needed to help build the structure next month.

Officials say The Flagship Collaborative Playplace will be an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) playground for children and adults of all abilities and will replace the current playground equipment at Lakeview Park in the 1000 block of E. Perry St. in Port Clinton.

The current playground equipment will be removed on May 31 and the materials for the new playground will be delivered on or about June 2.

Volunteers are still needed for the build, which will take place starting June 3 and go through Saturday and Sunday each day from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sponsors of food are also needed for the weekend.

The Flagship Collaborative Playplace is a joint community effort by the Port Clinton Rotary Club, Port Clinton  Kiwanis Club, Lake Erie Adventure Play (LEAP), Port Clinton Lions Club, Friends of Port Clinton Parks and residents who have donated and organized events to raise money over the last 18 months.

Volunteers will be required to check-in to sign a waiver form and will be supplied with a wristband and one meal ticket for breakfast and lunch. The on-site manager will give directions and train volunteers.

Only those volunteers that are 18 and older may participate in the actual building of the playground. Those under 18 may assist with checking in and serving refreshments/food to volunteers.

Contact Mary Ann Snider, the community build chair, at masnider716@gmail.com or call 419-635-6106.

Members of the Camp Perry's Air National Guard 200th RED HORSE Squadron will be supplying manpower and supplies throughout the build.

They will lay the footprint as soon as the old equipment is removed and will assist with the unloading of the materials on the date of delivery.

 An accessible park for all abilities

Records show there are 600 youth in the Port Clinton City Schools and Danbury Local Schools education systems who have disabilities.

Ottawa County has the third highest senior population in Ohio, according to the Ability Center of Ottawa County. In addition, the agency reports 40 percent of grandparents in the United States are child-care providers.

To learn more about the Flagship Collaborative Playplace, visit their website at: http://flagshippc.com/.

jdenton@gannett.com

419-559-1925

Twitter: @jessicadentonNH