2020 Winter Falls Pride Fall Magazine-2 - Flipbook - Page 22
FALLS PRIDE | PAGE 21
LET'S PLAY TOGETHER
Together, Menomonee Falls makes great things
happen for our kids. What started with just a handful
of Shady Lane parents and teachers discussing the
need for playground equipment for students using a
wheelchair or limited mobility turned into an
inclusive playground where all kids could play
together.
"We knew we couldn't solve the problem quickly, so
we got an adaptive swing to at least get something
started," said Brad Hoffman, principal at Shady Lane.
"We didn't want to add some pieces that were
accessible to students with disabilities but kept them
out of the group, so in 2013 a committee of parents
and staff started coming up with plans to add to the
playground."
Hoffman said that fundraisers for the new
playground took place over the next couple of years,
and the Shady Lane PTA donated directly into the
playground fund.
The main structure, designed by Minnesota
Wisconsin Playground, was purchased in 2018 and
cost approximately $107,500, paid from the Shady
Lane Playground fund. This past summer, the SDMF
paid for the installation of the new playground using
funds received from a Tax Incremental District (TID)
payout from the Village of Menomonee Falls for a
land area redevelopment project. The School
Board's intent was to reinvest the TID dollars into
areas that could be utilized by both the schools and
the greater community. Hoffman said Shady Lane
will continue to fundraise for phase 2, including a
new swing set and other freestanding pieces.
"The kids are loving it. Families are loving it. It's big
and inclusive.... it's really awesome," Hoffman said.
"I'm just so happy that what was such an
undertaking has finally come to fruition, and
it makes me smile that so many people gave
time and money, knowing that it wasn't just
for their kids, but for future kids.They gave
because they believed in the idea of having
an inclusive playground, where all kids could
play together. They weren't just donating for
new cool equipment, they were donating for
inclusivity, and that makes me smile."
Falls Schools is grateful for the many parents,
staff, community members, businesses including the Green Bay Packers organization,
who donated time and funds to help make
the new playground a reality.