Non-Profit Plans Playground for Special Needs Children in Moore

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

MOORE, Oklahoma -- A non-profit group in Moore is planning to build a playground designed to accommodate children with special needs.

Jessicia Brewer with Leaps and Boundless said the proposed playgroup will be built at Moore's Buck Thomas Park. The group is planning several fundraisers to raise the necessary funds, estimated at a quarter of a million dollars.

In Choctaw, a handicapped-accessible playground is already in existence at Choctaw Elementary School. Named Dreamcatcher, the park is open to students and non-students alike. Choctaw teachers have noticed that Dreamcatcher has motivated special needs children who used to sit around during recess to get involved in recreation.

"They're playing with their friends, they're swinging, they're sliding. You can't even tell which kids are mine anymore," said Amy Haak, a teacher at Choctaw Elementary School.

See the plans for the playground and learn more about how you can help.

The group is working with Leadership Moore Class of 2008 – 2009 and the Moore Chamber of Commerce to raise money for the playground in Moore.

The group said the need for this project is massive in the community. In Moore, there are 3,100 children in special education programs and another 2,000 on Norman, which doesn't even include the children under 5-years-old.

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