MAKING FUN SOUTHSIDE ACCESSIBLE
PARK
On Nov. 16, the City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department and Tyler Area On Nov. 16, the City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department Area Ambucs cut Ambucs cut the paper chain ribbon made by children for and the Tyler new inclusive playthe paper chain ribbon made by children for the new inclusive playground at Southside Park. ground at Southside Park. With the help of many donors and then Councilmember With the help of many and then for District 6 JohnThe Nix,playground $750,000 for District 6 John Nix,donors $750,000 wereCouncilmember collected to fund the project. were collected to fund the project. The playground features ramps, swings and slides that features ramps, swings and slides that accommodate all children, including those accommodate all children, including those with mobility disabilities and wheelchairs. with mobility disabilities and wheelchairs. These accommodations allow children to These accommodations allow children to enjoy the same playground, regardless of their enjoy the same playground, regardless of their abilities. abilities. The visionfor forthis thispark park began with Tyler Ambucs ago. The goal The vision began with Tyler AreaArea Ambucs sevenseven years years ago. The goal was to was to fulfill their mission to create mobility and independence for those with disabilities fulfill their mission to create mobility and independence for those with disabilities in the in thecommunity. Tyler community. Tyler “We have a community that travels here for healthcare and travels here for fun and function,” said Tyler Area Ambucs President Amanda Storer. “We wanted to be able to provide and we’ve done it.”two families had a chance to speak on what this park During thethat, opening ceremony,
means to them. Owner of ETX Brewing Company Brian Gilstrap, who has a family of
During theone opening ceremony, families had a chance to speak on what park means four kids, of which is in atwo wheelchair, also attended. “All these kidsthis love running to them. and “Why in the world you“It’s spend of makes a millionme dollars on a park? around playing,” saidwould Gilstrap. justthree-quarters awesome and emotional to see Tyler is blessed with many wonderful parks that are beautiful and great. But, this is why,” said Drake finally able to come out and play with his brother and sisters.” Casey Bryans, pointing at his smiling son Jack, who is in a wheelchair. “It’s for Jack and all these other great kids out here.”Owner of ETX Brewing Company Brian Gilstrap, who has a “Why would you spend three-quarters of a million on love a park? This family in of the fourworld kids, one of which is in a wheelchair, also attended. “All dollars these kids running is why,” said Casey Bryans, pointing at his smiling son Jack, who is in a wheelchair. around and playing,” said Gilstrap. “It’s just awesome and makes me emotional to see Drake “It’s forable Jack allout these great outand here. This park is a blessing all live of us. finally to and come and other play with his kids brother sisters.” The park aims to lettokids a Jack is six. Jack goes to Kindergarten. Jack lost a tooth last night and jack loves to normal life no matter their mobility capacities. “This park is a blessing to all of us,” said play. CaseyNow Bryans. he “Jack has aissafe six. Jack place goes thattoTyler Kindergarten. provided.” Jack lost a tooth last night and Jack loves to play. Now he has a safe place that Tyler provided.” The inclusive is the firstfirst oneone of its in Tyler. The inclusiveplayground playground is the ofkind its kind in Tyler.
#TimeToBuild
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