Making Fun Accessible

SOUTHSIDE PARK On Nov. 16, the City ofTyler Parks and Recreation Department MAKING FUN ACCESSIBLE and Tyler Area

On Nov. 16, the City ofTyler Parks and Recreation Department and Tyler Area Ambucs cut Ambucs cut the paper chain ribbon made by children for the new inclusive play- the 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 for District 6 ofmany donors and John Nix, $750,000 then Councilmember for District 6 John Nix, were collected to fund the project. The $750,000 playground were collected to features ramps, fund the project. The playground features ramps, swings and slides that swings and slides that accommodate all children, including those accommodate all children, including those with mobility disabilities and wheelchairs. These accommodations allow children to enjoy the same playground, regardless oftheir abilities. with mobility disabilities and wheelchairs. These accommodations allow children to enjoy the same playground, regardless oftheir abilities.

The vision for this park began with Tyler Area Ambucs seven years ago. The goal was to The vision for this park began with Tyler Area Ambucs seven years ago. The goal was fulfill their mission to create mobility and independence for those with disabilities in the to fulfill their mission to create mobility and independence for those with disabilities

Tyler community. “We have a community that travels here for healthcare and travels here for in the Tyler community. fun and function,” said Tyler Area Ambucs President Amanda Storer. “We wanted to be able to provide that, and we’ve done it.” During the opening ceremony, two families had a chance to speak on what this park means to them. Owner ofETX Brewing Company Brian Gilstrap, who has a family of

During the four kids, opening ceremony, two families had a one ofwhich is in a wheelchair, also chance to speak on what this park means attended. “All these kids love running to them. around “Why in the world would you spend three-quarters of and playing,” said Gilstrap. “It’s just awesome and a million dollars on a park? makes me emotional to see

Tyler is blessed with many wonderful parks that are beautiful and great. But, Casey Bryans, pointing at his smiling son Jack, who is in a wheelchair. “It’s for Drake finally able to come out and play with his brother and sisters.” this is why,” said Jack and all these family “Why other great kids out here.”Owner ofETX Brewing Company Brian Gilstrap, offour kids, one ofwhich is in a wheelchair, also attended. “All these kids in the world would you spend three-quarters ofa million dollars on who has a love running a park? This around is why,” and playing,” said Casey said Gilstrap. “It’s Bryans, pointing just awesome and makes at his smiling son Jack, me emotional to see Drake who is in a wheelchair. finally able to come out and play with his brother and sisters.” The park aims to let kids live a “It’s for Jack and all these other great kids out here. This park is a blessing to all of us. normal Jack is life six. no matter their Jack goes to mobility capacities. “This Kindergarten. Jack lost park is a blessing to all a tooth last night and ofus,” said jack loves to

Casey Bryans.play. Now he “Jack is six.has a safeJack goes to Kindergarten. Jackplace that Tyler provided.” lost a tooth last night and Jack loves to play. Now he has a safe place that Tyler provided.”

The The inclusive playground is inclusive playground the first one ofits kind in Tyler. is the first one ofits kind in Tyler.

#TimeToBuild

QUALITY OF LIFE