Local nonprofit seeks $100,000 for accessible playground at Levy Park

Crowley Accessibility Support for the Handicapped (CASH) presented an initial plan on Feb. 10 for an inclusive playground at Levy Park, telling the City Council the project could cost about $100,000 and would be funded through local fundraising and donations rather than city grants.

CASH co-founder Rich said the group has developed a footprint and a “wish list” for equipment and expects the site to be about 5,600 square feet. “It’s probably gonna run at least a 100,000 if we get everything that we want,” Rich said. The group said some individual play elements are costly: two specially designed swings alone could total about $7,000 without installation.

The proposal’s nut graf: supporters said an accessible playground would allow children with disabilities to play alongside siblings and peers and would fill a gap in the parish; supporters described Levy Park as the city’s most-used park and said it would be an appropriate pilot site before replicating the design elsewhere.

Project backers said key cost drivers are equipment and compliant surfacing that meets ADA fall-safety requirements. A CASH volunteer and recreation staff discussed options including a poured rubber surfacing product with a long warranty; Zach Dujon, Crowley’s recreation director, noted some surfacing choices that meet safety standards can be difficult to roll a wheelchair over even when ADA-complaint, and that surfacing is a major portion of the expense.

CASH said the group has assembled 11 board members, is working with local volunteers and an architect willing to donate time for design and renderings, and intends to pursue local fundraising. “We’re gonna go out and do our fundraising,” the group said, adding they plan to produce a rendering once equipment selections are final so potential sponsors can see the design.

Council and staff responses were supportive in tone. Recreation staff offered to help with grass cutting and maintenance at the park site and said the parks system could assist with painting lines or other preparations. No formal city funding or commitment was made during the presentation; organizers said they plan to pursue donations and in-kind help and will return with further details and renderings.

The presentation closed with a request that the council and public keep the project founders in mind as they seek donations and technical help; supporters also asked the public to keep one organizer, Rich, in their prayers because he is dealing with health issues.

The group said it would finalize a more detailed equipment list and cost estimates within about a week and return with renderings and fundraising materials for council and public review.