Grant for New Inclusive Playground Received
Preliminary plans showing what new at Candy Cane Park could look like, including new inclusive playground equipment and rubber pour-in-place surface area.
The playground equipment at Candy Cane Park may soon receive a much-needed makeover. With funding for the greenspace adjacent to Candy Cane Park completed, New Glarus Cares has shifted its focus and is now working to find funding for new playground equipment. They have secured a generous pledge of $80,000 from an anonymous charitable foundation. The funds would be used to purchase new inclusive playground equipment for Candy Cane Park. However, the grant from the charitable foundation is contingent upon the Village of New Glarus providing at least $80,000 in matching funds.
The Village of New Glarus is currently in the middle of the planning process for the 2024 operating budget and the 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Their proposed CIP includes $80,000 allocated for Candy Cane Park in 2024, but no financial commitments have yet been made. A public hearing for the overall budget is scheduled for November 7th.
“Those who support this initiative will have the opportunity to voice their support for new playground equipment at the public hearing on November 7th,” said Shelly Johnson, President of New Glarus Cares. “It will be crucial for the community to come together and demonstrate their enthusiasm for a new inclusive playground, which promises to bring joy to children of all ages and abilities.”
The current playground equipment at Candy Cane Park has fallen into disrepair, with some sections having been removed and cordoned off. “As we undergo the planning process to revitalize Candy Cane Park, we want to take this opportunity to address another unmet need in the community and incorporate inclusive equipment so all children in the community have a place where they can come together and play,” Johnson added.
A preliminary design and budget for a new inclusive playground have been created, but plans are contingent upon the approval of the needed funding. New Glarus Cares met with families in New Glarus who would benefit from an inclusive playground and gathered ideas that will be shared with the New Glarus Parks & Recreation Committee. The total cost of the project is estimated at $200,000, which means that an additional $40,000 will be needed to cover the total cost of the new equipment and surfacing.
“New Glarus Cares will continue its fundraising efforts, including selling food, drinks, and merchandise at the upcoming Christkindli Market the first weekend in December and at our 2nd Annual Candy Cane Hill sledding party to be held on a Saturday afternoon in late January (contingent upon sufficient snowfall).
If you wish to make a donation to support new inclusive playground equipment at Candy Cane Park, you can send a check, payable to New Glarus Cares, to Bank of New Glarus, 1101 Highway 69, Suite 11, New Glarus, WI 53574. Alternatively, online donations can be made at https://www.newglaruscares.com or via Venmo at venmo.com/newglaruscares.
