Grand opening set for all-inclusive park expansion

Photo by Ann Gill
HOPE HELPS all inclusive playground is closed this week as the final stages of construction are underway on the 2,775 square foot expansion of the play area. The park will officially open with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 6. The expanded area was constructed by local volunteers and includes four new pieces of equipment—glider with wheelchair ramp, sensory tunnel with wheelchair capabilities, global spinner and high backed teeter totter.

In 2018, Hope Helps, the autism awareness non-profit serving Will and Grundy counties, proposed plans for a Phase II expansion at Hope Helps all-inclusive park located at 460 S. Illinois St., in Coal City.
Two years earlier, Hope Helps built the nearly 6,000 square foot inclusive playground through a community build project and the 2,775 square foot expansion project was the same concept.
On June 13 and 14, just 14 months after the announcement to begin fundraising for Phase II, Hope Helps broke ground on the expansion. Community members and staff from Exelon Dresden Generating Station and the Exxon Mobil Wilmington office joined Hope Helps board members and playground design staff to build the four freestanding pieces of new equipment.
New pieces include a sway fun glider with wheelchair ramp, sensory tunnel with wheelchair capabilities, global spinner and wee saw high backed teeter totter. All four inclusive pieces will be surrounded by the pulverized rubber ground surfacing.
Community build volunteers also installed several new signs including communication boards, and planted several dozen new plants, spread mulch, and installed benches to enhance the park experience.
In April, Hope Helps board members were joined by local Boy Scouts to add six ADA accessible picnic tables to the facility.
On Saturday, July 6, Hope Helps is sponsoring the Phase II grand opening. Activities include a ribbon cutting, sponsor announcements, music, face painting, balloon artist, mini sports camp, treats and of course, playground fun. This free event will be from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine.  
Hope Helps appreciates the support of its sponsors for their commitment to this project and support of inclusion of autism and all special needs.
Platinum sponsors include: In Memory of Thomas Jeschke, The Norwex Foundation, Sportsmen for Charity, Cardinal Transport,  CR Transport and Coal City Public Works.
Additional  large sponsors include: Community Giving Campaign at Dresden Generating Station, Ideal Electric, Jack, Kay and Megan Riley, John and Brittney Riley Family, Jim and Wendy Mikula Family, The Intentional Team: Norwex, Community Giving Campaign at LaSalle Generating Station, Hope Helps board members and supporters of fundraisers.
For more information on Hope Helps and it's mission for autism and how individuals can help, check out its social media pages www.facebook.com/Hopehelps or #hope_helps_autism on Instagram or email brittneykaluzny@gmail.com