Hall Co. Board of Commissioners approve all-inclusive playground at Laurel Park

The Hall County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of new all-inclusive playground equipment for Laurel Park on Thursday, Oct. 24, during its voting meeting.

The proposed 4,400-square-foot playground, designed by Playground Creations of Atlanta, will be constructed on the existing playground footprint at the park and will feature state-of-the-art equipment and designs, including bonded rubber mulch surfacing for easy wheelchair accessibility.

"An all-inclusive playground will be a great addition to our park inventory to ensure children of all mobility and ability levels have a safe and fun place to play," Director of Hall County Parks and Community Services Brent Holloway said. "We have worked closely with 'Hope For Hall,' which has contributed its expertise in helping the County choose equipment that is both suitable and popular among children. We are grateful for our partnership with the organization and hope to continue collaborating in the future."

Hope For Hall is a local non-profit organization whose mission is "striving to normalize disability through play, education, and technology." In addition to its work with Hall County Parks and Leisure, the organization has also worked with the Hall County School System to install all-inclusive playground equipment at Wauka Mountain Elementary, Sandra Deal Elementary and is currently working on fundraising for playground equipment at Lyman Hall Elementary.

"It has been an honor to work with the County and lend our expertise on inclusive playgrounds for this project," Caroline Filchak, the founder of Hope For Hall, said. "We have been encouraged by the heart of the Hall County Parks and Leisure department to create a space where every child, regardless of ability, feels a sense of belonging and can play alongside friends. We applaud Hall County Parks and Leisure on their first inclusive playground and for being community leaders who champion inclusive play for all children in Hall County."

While this project is still in its early stages, a tentative schedule has been discussed with the vendor to have the playground installed and open to the public by Memorial Day; however, this schedule is subject to change based on lead times for equipment and installation.

This project is budgeted for $334,395.50 and is funded using impact fees.