Randy Garrison

Hartselle Enquirer

The Special Needs Accessible Playground (SNAP) will officially be open after holding a Grand Opening Celebration Fri., May 6. The event will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the location just east of the Sparkman Civic Center. A ribbon cutting will also be held to commemorate its completion. As of this date the project has an investment of $988, 000.

Special needs children from Hartselle City and Morgan County are invited special guests. Other invited guests and speakers include Governor Robert Bentley and former University of Alabama coach Gene Stallings.  Speakers will also include State Senator Arthur Orr, Morgan County Commission Chairman Ray Long and Hartselle Mayor Bill Smelser.

The celebration will be a culmination of a project that began in 2006. The civic clubs of Hartselle, including Civitan, Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary untied to plan and develop a playground for the 2,500 special needs children and youth of Morgan County. The City of Hartselle, Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce along with other groups joined in the project. The motto “Because every child deserves a playground” was chosen to represent the project.

The complex is accessible, useable and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complex has been constructed in phases, as funding was available with a swing area in 2008, splash pad in 2010, pavilion in 2011, main entrance and playground A in 2013 and playground B and other complex additions in 2016. The facility will enable all children to play together and be able to interact with each other in a fun and safe manner.

Non-paid volunteers, headed by Bob Francis, have administered the project in total. The construction was made possible by donations, grants, and in-kind services with an almost one million dollar investment including cash donations and in –kind services. A sign showing the donations funding the project is located just inside the entrance.

The SNAP committee invites all to come out and celebrate the celebration of completion of the project. Refreshments will be served and in the event of inclement weather, the event will be held in the back gym of Sparkman Civic Center.