The West Sedgwick County Sunrise Rotary Club with the support of Sedgwick County, corporate and private donations will celebrate a $150,000 renovation of the Playscape. You’re invited!
Thursday, September 19th 11:00 a.m. Sunrise Boundless Playscape Sedgwick County Park
What’s new? Three major areas of the Playscape now have new play equipment:
An inclusive playground so everyone can play regardless of physical mobility. The sunrise Boundless Playscape exceeds ADA requirements. Ramps and wheelchair friendly surfaces welcome wheelchair users.
A $1.75 million dollar gift to Sedgwick County from the West Sedgwick County Sunrise Rotary Club in celebration of Rotary’s centennial. Phase I of the Playscape was dedicated in 2008.
A 1.5 acre outdoor play area nestled in the middle of Sedgwick County Park with ae appropriate equipment for toddlers to elementary age children. There are separate swing bays for babies and toddlers, elementary age children, high back swings for children with spinal challenges, and the Sway Fun swing for those who use wheelchairs. There are climbing structures, slides, spinners and sound play equipment.
A private-public partnership. While a community-driven fundraising campaign has provided much of the funding for the playscape, Sedgwick County has also made significant contributions including the playscape’s day-to-day maintenance. The West Wedgwick County Sunrise Rotary Club provides a boost to maintenance twice a year with clean-up days.
Where a retaining wall exists today will soon be the location of 3 new slides and a net climber. When originally built, the wall was to contain plant materials which would grow to cover the wall surface. Today, only dirt pockets remain.
This plan proposes to remove the wall and regrade the 36” di fference in elevation, creating a gentle slope. On that new slope will be 2 new, colorful poly-slides, 1 new roller table slide and a new net climber. A new shade sail will provide relief from the hot summer sun. Nearby, an existing ramp will provide access between the top and bottom of the slope. Under the new equipment will be a mixture of artificial turf and poured-in-place rubber surface to provide many soft landings for the hours of fun kids will have on this new equipment.
Scope of improvements includes: Removal of existing pavement - Removal of existing block retaining wall - Site preparation and grading - Installation of new rubber and turf surfaces - Installation of new Landscape Structures slides and net climber - Installation of landscaping - Maintenance funds.
Sound play encourages creativity and spontaneity. It positively impacts a child’s cognitive, emotional, physical and communal well-being. But best of all, it’s fun!
Located on the south side of the playscape, existing sound equipment is in need of replacement after 9 years of heavy use and damage. The Sunrise Boundless Playscape Committee has identified equipment from Freenotes Harmony Park for the new Sound Play Garden. The equipment is durable, long-lasting and has been installed locally at Botanica, Hutchinson’s Dillon Nature Center and Salina’s Riverside Park.
The Sound Play Garden will be located near the current equipment, with the proposed layout creating an intimate, crescent-shaped plaza. Freenotes Harmony Park’s 5-piece “Premium Ensemble” will be arranged along the perimeter to allow for virtuoso performances by all!
Scope of improvements includes: Removal of existing pavement - Site preparation and grading - Installation of new plaza pavement - Installation of a new Freenotes Harmony Park “Premium Ensemble” sound play equipment - Maintenance endowment.
One of the unique features of the playscape expansion is a new, accessible maze- the Amazin’ Maze. Fully accessible pathways will allow for users of all ages and abilities to experience this one-of-akind adventure.
The first thing visitors will notice when approaching the maze are the bright wall panels. Each panel will be covered in colorful, metal pickets- a bright interpretation of the old fashioned white picket fence. The fun really starts once inside the maze, though. Turning corner after corner, users will be directed through the internal pathways among random planters filled with plants of varying textures- including ornamental grasses. But watch out- don’t turn down a dead end!
The location of the maze is sure to be a popular stop between the new West Play and Natural Play Areas.
Scope of improvements includes: Removal of existing pavement and play equipment - Site preparation and grading - Installation of new pavement
The Sunrise Boundless Playscape Enhancement Master Plan is the culmination of 24 months of planning by the Sunrise Rotary Club and engineering and planning firm, Ruggles & Bohm. The wildly popular playground at Sedgwick County Park is approaching its 10th year in operation and is in need of additional amenities to manage high usage, add new types of modern play amenities, and address some ongoing maintenance items. Planned for implementation over three years, the master plan will provide for additional play space for toddlers (ages 3-5) and older children (ages 5-12), a natural play space, much needed shade and picnic space, an exciting sound play installation and a fully accessible maze. Fundraising goal for this campaign is $1.0 million.
PLAYSCAPE HISTORY. The Sunrise Boundless Playscape, a community service project of the Sunrise Rotary Club of West Sedgwick County, is a $1.75 million interactive playground designed for children and adults with mobility challenges. The idea for this playground originated from a request from Rotary International in 2002 for clubs to develop community service projects to celebrate Rotary’s 2005 Centennial. Clubs were asked to consider their community’s most pressing needs and determine highly visible ways to meet those needs.
With Sedgwick County’s support and donation of 1.5 acres, our 40 member powerhouse of a club jumped in and began planning, dreaming and selling our dreams to others. At 70 percent accessibility, the Playscape substantially exceeds ADA requirements. It is uniquely designed for inclusive play for children and parents with mobility challenges so they can play side-by-side with their siblings and friends.
How will you Play it Forward?Eight years into heavy play, the Sunrise Boundless Playscape is showing wear and tear and will require special funding to sustain its premiere status. As good stewards, West Sedgwick County Sunrise Rotary Club with the support of an adjunct committee, the Friends of the Sunrise Boundless Playscape, have launched the Play It Forward campaign, a three-year $1-million fundraising campaign which create exciting new areas of play.
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SunriseRotaryWichita@gmail.com
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