Madison’s Place Receives Anonymous $100,000 Matching Funds Donation
Pledge to the Madison Claire Foundation helps make East Metro’s first inclusive playground become a reality
Woodbury, Minn. (Nov. 29, 2011) — The Madison Claire Foundation is excited to announce a pledge of $100,000 in matching funds from an anonymous donor to build Madison’s Place, the East Metro’s first inclusive playground. The playground will be truly inclusive so that children of all abilities can play together side-by-side fostering friendships, understanding and acceptance.
“We are so grateful to this donor for their pledge of $100,000,” explained Dana Millington, president of the Madison Claire Foundation. “This funding match will provide a major boost to the fundraising efforts for the playground.”
Additionally, the Madison Claire Foundation recently entered into a partnership with Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano, Minn.-based commercial playground manufacturer. Landscape Structures, the playground industry’s thought leader on inclusive play, will supply the playground equipment for Madison’s Place. The company, along with their Minnesota partner Flagship Recreation, is focused on helping communities go beyond providing accessibility to ensuring inclusion. In addition to getting children with limited mobility onto the playground, Landscape Structures engages the social and emotional benefits of a playground to help promote social inclusion between children with and without disabilities.
“Landscape Structures’ and Flagship Recreation’s enthusiasm for creating playground experiences for children and adults of all abilities will give Madison’s Place the destination appeal that we visualized,” said Millington.
Madison’s Place is a reflection of the need for all children to find joy in playing outside with their parents, caretakers, siblings and friends. Following are a few of the unique features that will be incorporated into the playground design for Madison’s Place:
- 100 percent accessible play structures so that all children and caretakers using mobility devices can reach the highest play deck
- Sensory-rich play equipment including activity panels and Roller Slides that stimulate proprioceptive receptors
- A metal slide, which prevents feedback and static created in traditional plastic slides, to accommodate persons with cochlear implants or hearing aids
- Brightly colored PebbleFlex® safety surfacing, which will provide an artistic and accessible foundation for the playground
“Landscape Structures has a long history of designing and installing playgrounds that achieve the highest levels of inclusive play,” said Pat Faust, president of Landscape Structures. “Through this partnership with the Madison Claire Foundation, we’ll work to create a welcoming, engaging and fun play environment that takes into account the unique abilities of each and every person that visits the playground. Both Flagship Recreation and Landscape Structures are delighted to support the Madison Claire Foundation in their significant contribution to the Twin Cities.”
Landscape Structures joins other community partners of the Madison Claire Foundation. Among other things, the City of Woodbury has committed the land for installation of the playground at the perimeter of the Bielenberg Sports Center Complex, the Rehabilitation Services team at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital has committed their expertise in designing and developing the playground, and the Air National Guard CE Squadron has committed to install the playground (300 men and women in service over six weeks beginning summer 2012).
For additional information about Madison’s Place, the Madison Claire Foundation or to make a donation, visit the organization’s website at www.madisonclairefoundation.org.
About Madison Claire Foundation: The Madison Claire Foundation was created in memory of Madison Claire Millington. Madison was born on May 16, 2002, and passed away in her mommy’s arms on Aug. 17, 2004, due to complications from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). We continue to honor Madison with her Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and families living with physical and developmental disabilities by giving them the opportunity to play alongside all others through the building of universal accessible playgrounds.