The project came in a little under the original budget of $175,000, at a total of $168,000 due to some price negotiations.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in early December, with a completion scheduled for some time in the spring, according to Kiwanis member Samantha Bosserman.
In August, the club announced that it was only $18,000 shy of reaching its goal.
Since then, the club has highlighted some of the local businesses stepping up to help fund the ADA accessible space, to be located at the updated Loth Springs Natural Area at 600 Race Ave., in the city.
The Loth Springs Natural Area is an extension to the current greenway with recent improvements to enhance the user experience by providing a more open and natural section of the trail. Funding for the improvements was secured through a settlement with DuPont.
The playground will be yet another addition to an already improved space with ADA accessible surfacing, inclusive pieces and activities and nature-themed play.
The playground will also include a 10-space parking lot for direct access, provided by the Waynesboro Parks and Recreation.
ICYMI
- Waynesboro | Accessible playground project just $18K shy of fundraising goal
- Waynesboro: Kiwanis Club announces plans for $175K Greenway playground
Kiwanis announced that $23,000 will be provided through a grant from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, and now, $50,000 will be contributed from the Hershey Company. Hershey will provide the gift in two installments of $25,000, one this year and one in 2026.
AFP previously wrote about a $20,000 grant for the project from McKee Foods.
The project will mark 100 years of service by the club in the community, which was founded in 1925.
“Kids need Kiwanis, now more than ever before, and the Waynesboro Kiwanis nature playground project is an example of how our club can meet a need in our community,” said Vicky Ferreira, also a club member. “The Kiwanis Club of Waynesboro has been able to exist for over a century thanks to the generosity of the residents of Waynesboro. We hope that the community will help us invest in the next 100 years.”
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Crystal Graham
