2016 Legacy of Play Contest Winner

Missouri Kiwanis Club Wins Inclusive Playground from Landscape Structures, Kiwanis International

Poplar Bluff to receive $25,000 for all-inclusive playground

Children and families in Poplar Bluff, Mo., with special needs will benefit from a $25,000 playground won during the international Legacy of Play® Contest, sponsored by Landscape Structures Inc. and Kiwanis International. The Poplar Bluff Kiwanis Club submitted the winning essay describing why their community needs a new playground.

Known as “The Gateway to the Ozarks,” Poplar Bluff is located along the Black River in Southeast Missouri. With a population of slightly more than 17,000 residents, Poplar Bluff is the county seat and regional hub of education, health care and business. The $25,000 award will help complete the city’s main recreation space, Kiwanis Bacon Memorial Park, with inclusive playground equipment to accommodate children and families with special needs.

In collaboration with other local organizations including Fearless Social, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Ozark Family Resource Agency, Poplar Bluff Realty, Anderson Tree Preservation and the Poplar Bluff School District, the Poplar Bluff Kiwanis club will install a safe and inclusive play environment to welcome children of all abilities from the five surrounding counties.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded $25,000 for our inclusive playground project,” said Subrina Berger, president of Poplar Bluff Kiwanis club, who spearheaded the contest entry and dropped the phone when Kiwanis International called with the good news. “With the help and faith of our incredible Kiwanis club, we finally met the goal we set two years ago to create a space in Kiwanis Bacon Memorial Park where children with special needs, toddlers and older kids can play together without fear of being hurt or left out. I speak for the entire Poplar Bluff Kiwanis club when I say how much we appreciate this award.”