New Playground at Bladen County Park To Open June 20

The work on the new playground at Bladen County Park began in March. The final product will be unveiled Tuesday, June 20. The $500,000 inclusive playground was funded by Trillium Health Resources.

Trillium and Bladen County will host the public grand opening event, rain or shine, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the park located off U.S. 701 between Elizabethtown and Clarkton. The public is invited to attend.

This playground will include accommodations that welcome children and adults of all abilities, including:

• A rubber surface to allow for smooth transport with wheelchairs and other assistive devices

• Ramps to access slides and other elements

• Equipment that will appeal to children with sensory issues

The Bladen County playground will be the 32nd constructed in the area as part of Trillium's Play Together Accessible Playground grants that started in 2015.

"This playground will help children with disabilities to better enjoy play time with their peers, and family members with disabilities can participate in outside play together," Trillium CEO Joy Futrell said. "By focusing on the power of play rather than our differences, this park will eliminate the stigma of disabilities."

The new playground replaced the previous playground, which was torn down.

"Bladen County Parks and Recreation is very excited about the new inclusive playground at the Bladen County Park and the opportunity for children of all abilities to play together," Bladen County Parks and Recreation Director Grant Pait said. "We know the inclusive playground will be a great asset to our region."

Trillium Health Resources is a specialty care manager for individuals with substance use, mental illness and intellectual/developmental disabilities in Bladen County and 27 other counties in eastern North Carolina. For more information, visit www.TrilliumHealthResources.org.

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