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A project to help children with disabilities in south Mississippi has returned to
USM's Gulf Park Campus. Assignment Education Dori Trane. Well the Gulf Park Campus
once had a playground but it closed several years ago due to lack of funding,
maintenance, and it was deemed unsafe. Well the LIONS Club International Foundation
received millions of dollars in donations after Hurricane Katrina so it chose to
spend some of those funds on bringing the playground back to Long Beach. Three year
old Colton Flowers was among the first to try out the new Technology Learning Center
Playground. His mom designed this fun space for children with learning and physical
disabilities and for able-bodied little ones like Colton. You can be creative; you
can facilitate annimation; you can encourage teamwork and you can promote self
confidence with this equipment. One two three, (laughter), The LIONS Club
International Foundation provided a $21,000 grant to build the TLC playground at USM
Gulf Park. I think it's fantastic; it's seven years that we've worked on this and all
of the sudden it's comming into fruition so it's great that we have this program in
place. There are two fold, one is to get our kids more physically active including
kids with disabilities, as well as showing that everything we have in the community
aught to be inclusive for all of its citizens and all of its children. All of the
tables and games are at eye-level and wheelchair accessible. For instance the slide
has a ramp and is elevated to help children move from their wheelchair to the slide
and grass pavers allow children to roll back and forth with ease. The joyous sounds
of children playing caught the attention of one of Santa's helpers. James Webber is
also an amputee who volunteers at the Center. This is an excellent playground, it's
wonderful for the children; has nice grass, river rock, a lot of equipment to play
on. There's nothing better than seeing smiling children. Especially during the
Holidays, Now there are plans to exand the playground by adding a kitechen unit, tree
house, swing and an amphetheater. USM is looking for organizations to help sponsor
those stations. Rebekah...