The Lewiston Community Lions Club is spearheading the creation of a new, special needs-accessible playground behind the Red Brick Municipal Building.
At Monday's Village Board meeting, Lewiston Lions Club member Sheila Zuhlke said the rides and equipment will be modeled after a similar setup in the Town of Pendleton.
Mayor Anne Welch said, "I had seen this park, it's called Mason's Mission. I had seen it online, and I said, 'I would love to do this at the Red Brick, at Marilyn Toohey Park. I met with Greenway (Commission) people. (Town of Lewiston Supervisor) Steve (Broderick) was there."
"Two days later, he called me up and said, 'I've got a lady who wants to meet with you about the playground,' " Welch explained. "I was like, 'Get her here!'
"It's going to work out really well, and it's going to be a beautiful park."
While the inclusive play area is appropriate for children with special needs, the playground will be open to all kids.
Moreover, "This will not cost taxpayers a dime," Zuhlke said. "It will be all through corporate funding.
"If you have never seen one of these kinds of playgrounds, take a ride to Pendleton. They're phenomenal. Anybody, with any kind of handicapped children, can use them. They're built so safe, little toddlers can crawl up. ... They're beautiful."
The Lions are working with the Village of Lewiston and the Town of Lewiston on this project. There is no timetable for the start of construction or its duration.
Welch said the playground will not affect the basketball courts. In addition, she said she hopes the outdoor area can tie-in with village Recreation Department programming.
Pictured is part of the existing playground.
