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New Playground For All

West Chester's Everhart Park Receives Access Additions From Community Leaders, Students And Friends

West Chester Borough was granted $175,000 in Commonwealth Financial Authority (CFA) Act 13 funds, which will be used to upgrade the park’s playground.

Hillsdale Elementary School students in the West Chester Area School District designed this new playground for their peers during a workshop conceived by Friends of Everhart Park and facilitated by Play by Design, a playground design firm.

"These young designers have ensured every child will feel welcome,” says state Rep. Dianne Herrin. “A public park should be a place for inclusion, community, and togetherness, and this project really hits the mark. It promises to be a magical place where all children can unleash their imaginations, and families can come together to simply celebrate life. We are grateful for this generous award.”

This project includes the purchase and installation of new ADA-compliant equipment so all children can access the new playground – including a treehouse and six slides, a double-wide ramp and transfer stations for access, a ninja challenge course with ADA-accessible bars and rings, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round and swings, a braille activity panel, an accessible pirate ship, storefront panels, and natural materials for a nature play area. In addition, ADA-compliant wood fiber and safety surfaces will be installed for better wheelchair mobility.

“Everhart Park’s new playground is a project that is truly by, of, and for all children. I am grateful to all of those who are working together to make it a reality, including the Friends of Everhart Park, West Chester Borough Parks and Recreation, and the many professionals who have volunteered their time, support, and expertise,” state Sen. Carolyn Comitta states. “This park holds a special place in my heart. With these improvements, I have no doubt it will do the same for many children and families for years to come.”

The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania's economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania's economic growth. Unique among state agencies in structure and scope, the CFA consists of seven board members: four legislative appointees and the secretaries of DCED, the Office of the Budget and Department of Banking and Securities.

Act 13 of 2012 establishes the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the CFA for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects using the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program.

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