Webb, Stuckey and Lindsey

turned in $500 and several individuals added to the pot.

Tate Godfrey, honorary chairman of the All Children's

Playground Select Committee, was master of ceremonies,

and appealed to the assembled civic and business leaders

for their support. To set the example, he and his wife,

Lourdes, became the first Silver Level Sponsor by

contributing $1,000.

"This contribution

signifies that my wife and I are behind this project 100

percent," he told the 50 or so assembled guests.

"When I was asked to be honorary chairman of this

committee to raise funds for the playground, I knew it

was something I wanted to do. This is an excellent

project that is outside the normal expectations of a

recreational program in a city our size. It will require

support from the whole community."

The All Children's

Playground is to be a totally accessible facility, where

physically challenged or non-challenged children of all

ages can get to and use all of the equipment. It will

have a ramp system to connect the entire structure into

one negotiable unit.

It is also planned to have

a poured rubberized surface, making it safer and easier

for wheelchair accessibility. Current research indicates

that there is not another facility like it in the metro

Atlanta area, and possibly in the entire state or beyond.

"To us, there is

nothing more disturbing than seeing a child watching

other children play, but not being able to join in,"

said Luther Holt, Recreation Commission member who is

also serving on the All Children's Playground Select

Committee. "In our playground, that won't happen.

This will be a crown jewel for Peachtree City."

The effort to develop this

playground began in October 1999, when Peachtree City

resident Colleen Sugar wrote a letter to Director of

Leisure Services Randy Gaddo. In her letter, she

described her attempts to find an accessible playground

for her physically challenged son. Not only could she not

find one in the city, but in the entire south metro area.

Frustrated, she wrote,

"We have some wonderful parks in Peachtree City, but

I am writing to draw your attention to a problem in the

parks. The problem is the lack of handicapped accessible

outdoor play and learning equipment, preventing important

social interaction and learning by disabled and

non-disabled children alike."

Gaddo contacted Colleen and

explained that the recently updated Recreation Master

Plan did address the need to improve playgrounds

throughout the city. Indeed, money had been budgeted to

this end in the city's Public Improvement Plan.

But the magnitude of

constructing a fully accessible facility was far beyond

the approved budget. Due to specialized equipment,

ramping and special surfaces, the cost would easily

exceed $150,000.

"Colleen's approach to

this issue was very proactive," said Gaddo.

"She didn't just complain about a problem, then

expect it to be magically fixed. She offered to be part

of the solution."

Gaddo took her up on her

offer, and presented a plan to the Recreation Commission

to appoint a select committee, with Colleen as its

chairperson.

The committee would be

responsible for spearheading a campaign to raise funds

for the facility. Picnic Park, a scenic lakeside area,

was chosen as the site.

The name "All

Children's Playground" was chosen to signify the

total accessibility for all children. The recreation

staff developed a Sponsorship Program that established

various levels of sponsorship, each carrying different

benefits depending on the contribution.

The June 28 event at

Pathway was the culmination of months of planning by the

committee. It also signified the kickoff for the official

fund drive.

Committee members will now

begin the work of visiting local business, industry and

service clubs to inform them of the effort and ask for

contributions. They will also be seeking state and

national grants or other sources of funding.

"I appeal to the

entire community, to the businesses, to industry leaders,

to civic clubs and to individuals," said Godfrey.

"This is a project you'll want to be part of,

because it is going to be so unique and so needed. It's

just the right thing to do."

For more information on the

playground, or on contributing, contact the Recreation

Department at 770-631-2542.