Home Waynesboro | Accessible playground project just $18K shy of fundraising goal
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Waynesboro | Accessible playground project just $18K shy of fundraising goal

Crystal Graham

kiwanis natural accessible playground An accessible playground in Waynesboro is one step closer to reality thanks to a grant from McKee Foods this week.

The playground, a project of the Kiwanis Club of Waynesboro to celebrate its centennial year, will be located in the new Loth Springs natural area along the South River Greenway.

It will include accessible features including a rubberized surface that allows wheelchair access and inclusive play equipment where children of all abilities may play together. The playground will have a nature theme to compliment other elements along the greenway.

This will be the first playground of its kind in the Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County.

“The Kiwanis Club of Waynesboro’s Greenway project is in line with the type of outdoor activities our company loves to support, said Shawn Pellington, vice president, Stuarts Draft operations, who presented the $20,000 check to the Kiwanis Club at its lunch meeting on Tuesday. The grant is part of the company’s Outdoor Happiness Movement initiative, which has provided more than $15 million to projects throughout the country.

“We are so appreciative of the contribution from McKee Foods and the Outdoor Happiness Project for the new Kiwanis playground,” said Vicky Ferreira, chair of the Kiwanis playground fundraising committee.

“A project like this is a true community effort, and we are very thankful for this contribution.”

The Kiwanis Club is nearing its goal of $175,000 to fully fund the playground with approximately $18,000 left to raise.

Community members or businesses may contribute to the project online through the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge or by mailing a check to the Kiwanis Club of Waynesboro, P.O. Box 981, Waynesboro, Va. 22980.

The Kiwanis Club of Waynesboro meets at noon on the first and third Tuesday of each month at Panera Bread in Waynesboro.

The Rotary Club of Waynesboro also recently marked its centennial year with the construction of a traffic garden to teach children the rules of the roads and bicycle safety. It is also located along the South River Greenway.


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Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]