By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
When life gives you lemons, make the most of them at the Lemonade Stand Challenge between Hays and Russell, a fundraising competition to support park accessibility.
This year marks Hays's fifth-annual lemonade stand event and Russell's third, continuing their efforts to create fun, safe and inclusive parks for all ages and abilities.
Executive Director of the Arc of Central Plains Kathy McAdoo said the competition will help the Arc reach its goal by 2025, aiming to outperform its challengers.
"Russell is also fundraising for an accessible playground, similar to what we have here in Hays at the ARC Park," she said.
Russell County issued the challenge in a Facebook post.
Set for today and Friday in Hays and Friday and Saturday in Russell, participants can win prizes donated by local businesses in various categories, including most money earned, best stand, most creative name and overall fan favorite.
"We encourage area kids, the young and the young at heart, to set up a lemonade stand," McAdoo said.
The park projects in Hays and Russell aim to include an accessible playground, ensuring that everyone, including those with physical, sensory, cognitive and developmental disabilities can play together.
Russell's Memorial Park, 1056 E. Fourth St., will include ramped play structures, transfer platforms, inclusive swings and wheelchair-accessible surfacing.
Phase three of the ARC Park, 3300 Hillcrest Drive, will incorporate corn hole, climbing structures, shade structures and sensory features, in addition to its existing multi-generational equipment and the splash pad.
"We have been mentoring [Russell's] fundraising campaign," McAdoo said, "so this is just to add a bit of fun and friendly competition."
Donations to the ARC Park can be made on its website, in person, or by mail at 600 Main Street. Additionally, donations can be submitted through the Russell Play Park website.
You can locate the lemonade stands in Hays on the Hays ARC Park Facebook page.
You can also follow Russell Play Park on Facebook.