Photo courtesy Stockholm Recreation Committee
A new, inclusive playground will soon be available for children of all abilities in the town of Stockholm and surrounding communities with support from MaineCF.
Inclusive playgrounds differ from traditional playgrounds, which can be inaccessible for children with disabilities. The Stockholm Community Playground will have two ramps so children in wheelchairs can access the equipment, and swings that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
MaineCF's Aroostook County Fund awarded the Stockholm Community Playground a $9,240 grant and an additional grant of $760 was made by the donor-advised Caroline D. Gentile Fund.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic an influx of families with children moved to Stockholm. In 2020, the town had a population of 250 making it one of the state’s smallest towns. That year more than 100 new children enrolled in RSU 19, which serves Stockholm and Caribou, according to the Bangor Daily News.
The community rallied to kickstart the playground project that will benefit all children and families for years to come.
"Creative, safe, and fun playgrounds are vital for kids. This grant will help move us closer to the realization of our goal,” said Lindsey Theriault, chairperson of the Stockholm Recreation
Committee.
The Stockholm Recreation Committee was formed in October 2020 with its first objective to build an inclusive playground. The Town of Stockholm and private donations have helped the committee raise $110,000 of its $200,000 goal.
“I am incredibly excited that we will be welcoming children and families to this beautiful, newly renovated space," said Theriault. "Open play space and the opportunity to interact with nature is critical for the healthy development of our children and an important resource for all our area residents, especially families."
