CHAMPAIGN – Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation broke ground on two new projects Tuesday that aim to provide recreation programs and opportunities to people with disabilities.
One of the projects is an accessible playground, called the All-Abilities Activity Hub, by the special recreation center in Centennial Park, which will be enclosed, according to Champaign Park District Executive Director Sarah Sandquist.
“It’s designed to support participation from individuals of all ages and abilities, addressing safety concerns for families with young children and accommodating participants with varying abilities,” she said.
The other project is a new drop off lane by the center to increase the safety of those getting dropped off for programming.
“Right now, when a bus drops off an individual, they have to drop off on Sangamon Road, which becomes very busy and congested in the afternoons when Jefferson [Middle School] is letting out of school,” Sandquist said.
Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation was founded in 1985 and has been providing year-round opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, such as afterschool programs, overnight trips, special Olympics and summer day camps.
“The new All Abilities Activity Hub will provide so much more than space to get active and enjoy the outdoors safely and fully, it will help our children find a sense of independence and confidence and belonging,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “Lifelong friendships and memories will be formed right here.”
The two projects are funded by the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant from the state with matching funding from the Champaign and Urbana Park Districts. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Natalie Phelps Finnie applauded Pritzker’s funding of the OSLAD program.
“Gov. Pritzker didn’t just restore OSLAD program when he came into office. He made sure to pay back the monies that were held up during the budget impasse,” she said. “We had over double the funding three years in a row because of Gov. Pritzker.”
Sandquist said construction on the two projects will officially kick off June 1 with hopes of completing the drop off lane before the new school year starts and the playground by November.