By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Fundraising for an accessible recreation complex in Hays started in 2018.
The project is spearheaded by local parents of special needs children and directors at the Arc of Central Plains.
With about $1.6 million in donations so far, groundbreaking for the first phase, a 14,000-square-foot playground, is scheduled for 4 p.m. today in Seven Hills Optimist Park, 33rd and Hillcrest.
Features will include swings with harnesses for kids of all ages and abilities, static-free slides, and inviting sensory equipment.
Hays vice-mayor Sandy Jacobs wasn't sure the day would ever come.
"I think in the beginning I doubted they could do what they set out to do," Jacobs said at the end of Thursday night's city commission meeting.
"I could see a park, or a little piece of it, but the whole project is going to be amazing for our community."
Jacobs is executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation which has awarded grant money to the project. She has been working closely with the project volunteers to help them find other financial and in-kind work donations.
"It's not only going to be a quality of life issue," Jacobs said, "it's going to impact communities around us that will bring kids here.
"It will have an economic impact in our community as well."
"It's something positive coming to our community," echoed Commissioner Michael Berges, who has a special needs son.
Jacobs singled out Sarah Meitner, parent of a special needs son, and Kathy McAdoo and Brent Kaiser with the Arc of Central Plains.
"The work that they've done on this has been absolutely inspiring."
Phase two of the park is a splash pad with a special fundraiser underway now called "Drop in the Bucket."
A donor has offered to triple-match donations - up to $100,000 - through the end of the month for the ARC Park Splash Pad.
The third phase is a baseball field featuring a turf infield and outfield with in-ground bases so individuals with limited mobility can also enjoy playing ball. Youth teams in the community will be allowed to play on it.