Work on what will be Minnesota’s largest playground for children with disabilities is underway — thanks to a last-minute $100,000 contribution.
The 24,000-square-foot playground in Cottage Grove will be completed by the end of September, according to Molly Pietruszewski, the city’s recreation supervisor. The fundraising goal of $800,000 was reached on May 17, when the Lions Club International Foundation made the $100,000 donation.
Work had already begun on what Pietruszewski said would have been a slightly smaller playground. “But the Lions Club put us over the top,” she said.
Fundraising for the project started in 2013. The city is contributing $350,000, and more than 100 businesses, groups and individuals have donated funds. The cost of the park does not include the land, because it is being built in an existing city park.
The park is one of several built in Minnesota in recent years that have special equipment allowing children using wheelchairs to play. It will include decks, slides, climbing areas, tunnels and swings.
The “developmental areas” — designed to teach and strengthen children — will include interactive panels, musical instruments, and sand and water play areas.
Pietruszewski said the playground — roughly the size of eight tennis courts — would be the largest in the state. In the past several years, similar parks have been built in Woodbury, Edina, Eden Prairie, Shoreview, Lakeville, Brooklyn Park and Minnetonka.
The new playground will be in Woodridge Park, 9000 90th St.