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Resident-led push for inclusive 'Dahlia' playground draws council support and fundraising plans
Summary
A Signal Mountain resident proposed the Dahlia inclusive playground, seeking to build an all-abilities play area at Althouse Park. The project aims to raise $900,000; organizers reported $200,000 raised (22%) and outlined grant and fundraising strategies. Council members expressed support and discussed town partnership and ongoing maintenance.
A Signal Mountain resident and parent outlined plans on April 28, 2025, to build an inclusive playground—so-called the Dahlia Playground—at Althouse Park that would be designed for children and adults of all abilities.
Presenter Miss (Ms.) Harmon described her daughter, Dalia, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair or mobility aids, and said current play surfaces and site topography limit access. '"Our dream is to create a space for all ages and abilities," she said, describing a nature-inspired design with sensory features, social-play elements and accessible surfacing.
Harmon said the project team has raised about $200,000 toward a $900,000 goal (about 22% funded) and planned a public fundraising kickoff. She identified grant applications already submitted or contemplated, including T-Mobile hometown grants, the Tennessee Office of Outdoor Recreation, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and an earlier effort to apply to the Department for the Aging and Disability (the presenter said a prior round was unavailable). Harmon said renderings were provided by PlayCore and that the nonprofit Hope Included will run the project and handle fundraising and accounting.
The proposed location is Althouse Park, which the presenter said is centrally located and already hosts tennis, pickleball and other activities. The plan includes repurposing existing playground equipment (moving it to Timberlinks) so multiple town parks can benefit. Harmon asked the town to partner on the project and for citizens to spread the word; she provided fundraising links on hopeincluded.org and social media and said donations already are being accepted via Venmo, PayPal and Eventbrite.
Council members voiced broad support. Councilmember Apopka and others said they were eager to partner, noting that the town would assume long-term maintenance once the facility is built and that community fundraising and volunteer involvement would be appropriate. Harmon said PlayCore's materials indicated typical life expectancies for equipment of 15 to 20 years and pour-in-place rubber surfacing of roughly 8 to 12 years depending on maintenance; she said the project team plans ongoing fundraising to support upkeep.
No formal action or funding commitment was made at the work session. Councilmembers asked staff to coordinate with the presenter and nonprofit on next steps and public outreach.
