An ambitious concept that began with a group of civic-minded community leaders in 2006 is nearing completion. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the entryway to the John Mark Stallings Special Needs Accessible Playground of Morgan County (SNAP) was held in May, leaving one final section to be completed, hopefully, in 2014.
The boundless playground, designed specifically for the estimated 1,700 special needs children in Morgan County, includes a swing area, playground, splashpad and pavilion. The most recent addition is the $56,500 entryway, with a lighted clock tower and backlit LED logo. The entryway also houses the plaque dedicating the playground to John Mark Stallings, beloved son of Gene and Ann Stallings who, despite having Down Syndrome, impacted and inspired thousands of people during his 46-year life.
Over the past six and a half years, volunteers from the Hartselle Civitan, Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions clubs, along with the City of Hartselle, United Way, Hartselle Medical Center, Wal-Mart, the Volunteer Center of Morgan County and the Morgan County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments have worked together to raise over $450,000 for SNAP, according to project manager Bob Francis. At last count, 389 individuals and organizations have donated money, products and services to the project. “When you take into account the in-kind services from so many individuals and companies in our area, the value of this playground to our community is over $800,000,” Francis explains, “and that’s something our community can be proud of.”
The final section of SNAP will be a second playground area with an estimated cost of $215,000. “We hope to have that completed in 2014,” says Francis, who has managed the project since 2006. He points out that the time frame for completion is largely dependent on how fast the organization can raise the funds needed.
“This is a place where all children, both special needs and non-special needs children, can come and have fun,” Francis says.
“It only takes one of these children coming out here and smiling – that’s the reward for having done it,” he says.
To donate to the SNAP playground project, visit snapplayground.org/donate or send money to P.O. Box 512, Hartselle, AL 35640.