(7/29) Emmitsburg’s Board of Commissioners voted to approve a contract to construct an all-inclusive playground during their July 1 town meeting. The project, which has been in discussion for several months, will finally be coming to fruition this fall.

With a growing need for parks of this kind, and a growing number of children with varying disabilities and special needs, Emmitsburg knew constructing an all-inclusive playground to cater to all children and adults would be a great project. Following in the footsteps of Thurmont and before that, Middletown along with several other towns throughout the state, Emmitsburg will be joining the growing list of towns and municipalities taking steps forward to making their parks more accessible. The Civitan Club was involved throughout the design process, as they were for Thurmont’s playground, and was also involved in the process of applying for grant funding.

Similar to Thurmont’s all-inclusive playground, which was completed at the end of 2017, this new playground in Emmitsburg is meant to create a space where children and adults of all abilities can play together. The playground will be accessible to children with varying physical, emotional and behavioral related abilities. "We have a growing number of children with special needs in our town," stated Commissioner Elizabeth Buckman, "I think this will be fantastic." All other Commissioners and town staff agreed, stating this project would be a great addition to the town.

Commissioners approved a contract with Playground Specialists Inc., of Thurmont, for a total project cost of $302,350. According to Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs, the project will be funded through several sources, including: a Department of Community Housing Development Community Legacy Grant for $75,000; a Project Open Space Grant for $120,000, town funds totaling $82,350; and pending grant approval from the Catoctin Civitan Club for $25,000. The approval of the Catoctin Civitan Club funding will occur this September.

The contract with Playground Specialists includes playground design, grading, installing new equipment and mulching. Design for the playground was inspired by other playgrounds of its kind throughout Maryland, but will have its own unique equipment as well. Emmitsburg’s design features an accessible merry-go-round, a climbable orb, percussion play, double cloud, and a balance beam along with several other pieces of equipment.

The all-inclusive playground will be incorporated into the town’s existing Community Park Playground, located along Willow Drive. The area will also be expanded to incorporate all the equipment and will have a wheelchair accessible path. Benches and a shade structure will also be installed on site.

Installation of this playground will begin this October and will be followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony.