An effort is underway to build a new playground at Kiwanis Park in St. Joseph.
Speaking to St. Joseph City Commissioners this week, resident Nicole Stusick said she’s been working with several community partners to install a universally-accessible playground at the park.
“I am a local southwest Michigan resident and native to the area,” Stusick said. “I’m also a mom of three where my oldest son was born with a rare disease, and that led to my work in rare disease advocacy. And that has led me to build a playground.”
City Public Works Director Greg Grothous said the current playground is around 25 years old, which is about how long playground equipment lasts.
Stusick said the goal for the new playground is for it to be open to all children, regardless of abilities. They’re calling it the Kaleidoscope Playground.
“The idea is there is an evolving perspective that’s reflective of every person in our city and our town and beyond that in a dynamic and diverse way.”
Stusick is working with the St. Joseph Parks Foundation to raise funds for the new Kaleidoscope Playground.
The project has already been approved for four Frederick S. Upton Foundation grants totaling $100,000. The grants would require a $50,000 match from the partnership seeking the new playground. The total goal is $500,000, and fundraising efforts will pick up in the spring.
Commissioners Monday approved the concept so that fundraising can begin.
