24-05-2025
Inclusive playground dedicated at Walnut Beach
ASHTABULA — Students from Happy Hearts School put the new inclusive playground at Walnut Beach to the test Friday morning before and after a dedication ceremony.
The park was possible due to American Recovery Plan Act dollars, made available to the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities through the state of Ohio.
Manda Jackson, director of Quality and Community Outreach for the board, said the project likely wouldn't have occurred without the funding. She was also appreciative to the city of Ashtabula for providing the land.
'It is even better than I dreamed it would be,' Board of DD Superintendent Toni Scurpa said.' It shows we as a community believe in providing inclusive [opportunities].'
Lisa Ebersole, president of the board, read a proclamation officially announcing the park being turned over to the city of Ashtabula.
'I can remember 25 years ago visiting an inclusive playground and wondering if we could bring one here,' she said.
Ashtabula City Manager Jim Timonere was happy to accept the gift of the park, and promised to maintain the facility.
'We still have work to do,' Timonere said before a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included students from Happy Hearts.
Timonere credited Amy Coursen, Ashtabula project administrator, with coordinating all the details to make sure the park became a reality.
The project had to be completed before the end of 2024 because of grant stipulations, and the collaborative project was successfully done by the end of November, just in time for the Thanksgiving weekend snowstorm, which dropped five feet of snow on the area.
The city recently finished detail work around the playground. Visitors have been seen using the project before the dedication took place Friday.
'We are going to take care of it, and add to it as we can,' Timonere said.
He said a special parking lot for vehicles for the developmentally disabled is scheduled to be created, adjacent to the playground.
Jackson said 40 students from Happy Hearts attended the ceremony, and had a chance to play on the new facility.
Many of the students also participated in the ribbon cutting.
Timonere credited Capp Steel for their assistance in the project.
