Smiles, giggles, laughter and the dream of a playground accessible to all children will soon be a reality at the City of Auburn’s Les Gove Park.

The public is invited to help the City and project donors celebrate the beginning of the construction of the 32,000-square-foot Barrier-Free Playground at Les Gove Park at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

“The City of Auburn has a fantastic park and recreation system with a variety of play equipment, spray pools, fields, and courts. This Barrier-Free Playground will add to those amenities and allow all children to play side-by-side in a place where mutual understanding and acceptance flourish,” said Lynn Norman, City Councilmember and Barrier-Free task-force member.

More than $235,000 has been raised in support of the project. Donations have been received by individuals, corporations, businesses, granting agencies, foundations, and service clubs.

The City was awarded $70,000 from a King County Youth Sports Facility grant, the Rotary Club of Auburn and the Employee Recycling Program have both donated $10,000, a $5,000 Muckleshoot Charity Grant was received, City of Auburn Employees donated $3,169, the Auburn Noon Lions Club donated $2,500, the Auburn Youth Council has pledged $2,600, and the Soroptimist International of Auburn gave $1,600 to the project. Individual donations to date total $2,305, area businesses have donated $2,217, students from the Auburn School District have donated $1,439.37, the Detlef Schrempf Foundation awarded the project $1,000. In-kind donations of material and professional services total over $27,000.

Other donors include the Washington State Law Enforcement Association, Auburn Police Officers Association, Auburn Police Guild, Optimist Club of Auburn and the VFW White River Valley Post 1741.

The playground is expected to be complete in time for Kids Day on Friday, June 25, at Les Gove Park. The new playground will replace a former play structure, originally installed in the 1960’s that is not universally accessible.

Barrier-free playgrounds are designed with the physical, sensory and developmental abilities of all children in mind – where children of all abilities can learn together through play, developing essential life skills. The unique features include universally accessible pathways and surfacing; play structures configured to support all levels of development; ramps, bridges and transfer stations – allowing every child to reach the highest play deck; elevated sand tables, interactive walls, activity panels and auditory elements; cozy spots where everyone can gather; swings and bouncers with back support; sensory-rich and tactile surfaces and activities that stimulate the imagination; and equipment that provides diverse play opportunities for all, including tunnels, waist-level play areas, and other barrier-free options.

A barrier-free playground far surpasses the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

Fundraising is still under way and everyone is invited to participate in the Imagine Play for All campaign. The following donation levels are available to help fund the project: Playground Leadership Circle ($20,000 or more); Playground Best Friend ($12,500-$19,999); Playground Friend ($7,500-$12,499); Playground Buddy ($2,500-$7,499); Playground Pal ($500-$2,499); Playground Companion ($100-499); Playmate ($25-99). Different recognition benefits are offered in each funding category.

Donations can be made by corporations, businesses, foundations, or individuals and are being accepted by the City of Auburn’s non-profit 501(c)(3) community partner, the Northwest Parks Foundation. To make a gift to the Imagine Play for All campaign by credit card please visit NW Park’s secure Web site at www.nwparks.org, choose “donate now”, and reference Auburn’s Imagine Play for All campaign. To make a donation by mail, please send a check to the Northwest Parks Foundation, c/o Auburn Imagine Play for All, PO Box 605, Woodinville, WA 98072-0605. Matching gifts are also encouraged.

For additional details about the project, please call the City of Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation Department at 253-931-3043 or the Northwest Parks Foundation at 425-284-0420.