The first phase

of the All Children's Playground is ready to begin now that over $50,000

in donations have been received.

The playground,

which will be specially designed for special needs children, will be located

at Picnic Park, just behind the city hall complex in Peachtree City. Plans

are for a second and third phase to the playground, so sponsors are still

needed for the effort, said Sherry McHugh of the Peachtree City Recreation

Department.

Work on phase

one, however, has begun as the department is preparing to solicit proposals

from playground equipment companies. It's possible that the first phase

could be built early this summer, McHugh noted.

The response

from sponsors so far has been wonderful, she said.

"We want

the word to spread so people are aware of this," McHugh said. She

added that anyone looking to donate money to a worthwhile cause may contact

the recreation department for more details.

Many donations

have been made in memory of longtime recreation volunteer Luther Holt,

who helped spearhead the fund-raising campaign for the playground, McHugh

said. For example, Holt's former co-workers at the Detroit Recreation

Department have recently made contributions, she said.

Among sponsors,

Fayette-Coweta EMC has pledged $10,000 to purchase equipment for the playground,

making them a platinum level sponsor. Gold-level sponsors include the

Olde Mill Steakhouse and NCR Corporation.

Silver and

bronze level sponsors will be listed in The Peachtree Citizen Review in

the near future.