Yorktown Receives $50K Donation to Build Handicapped Accessible Playgrounds

The town of Yorktown has received a $48,750 grant from the Gilbert Beaver Farm, Inc. to purchase handicapped accessible playground equipment that can be used by all children. 

"It's important for non-disabled children to interact with disabled children," Yorktown supervisor Susan Siegel said. "Having this playground equipment that can be used by all children will help foster that interaction."

Siegal said the gift was unexpected and it wasn't something the town sought after, but rather the Gilbert Beaver Farms approached town officials. The generous contribution was made in the names of Gilbert and Jean Beaver, former Yorktown residents and philanthropists.

"Having personally known families with disabled children, I know how meaningful it is for non-disabled children to be able to interact and play with disabled children and vice versa," said Nonnie Braddock, administrator of The Gilbert Beaver Farm. 

Siegel said she asked Jennifer Fava, the superintendent of the Parks and Recreation department, to initiate a discussion with the Recreation Commission of what equipment to purchase and where it should be located so that recommendations can be provided to town board members. The financial details will be discussed, and then officials can proceed to pick a design and building company for the playground. 

"We don't want the money to sit in the bank," Siegel said. "We want to put it to use as soon as possible."

Fava said she looks forward to this new venture for the children. 

"Even if the parents have some sort of disability that will also make it easier for them, it's not just for the children," she said.

The town of Yorktown has already made some improvements to provide handicapped accessibility to playgrounds, and there are more adjustments in the planning stages. Some changes at Downing Park include grading the area around the water fountain, adjusting the height of the toilet paper and soap dispensers and installing braille signs in the bathrooms. In addition, door sadles have been removed and the mulch of the playgrounds have been graded to be the same level as the surrounding pavement for wheelchair accessibility. 

"Once these items were brought to our attention, we fixed them," Siegel said of the "little things that we take for granted without realizing that they create problems for others."

Thursday afternoon Yorktown resident Joy Reynolds, who was at Downing Park with her infant daughter, said she supports the initiative to bring all children together. 

"I think it's going to be great to blend the two communities," said Reynolds, who is also a teacher of students with special needs. "It's something that will be good for the community. If it's a playground, we'll play on it."

Siegel said the grant for special handicapped accessible recreational equipment would complement current efforts already underway to improve ADA accessibility of Yorktown parks.

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