Chris Holman welcomes back Laurie Strauss Baumer, President, and CEO, of Capital Region Community Foundation, Lansing, MI.

Watch Laurie and Chris discuss “Play Michigan!” Universally-Accessible Playground Construction Announced in the YouTube video shared below:

In their conversation, Chris looked to find out from Laurie,…

After Pandemic Delays Laurie, we spoke to you last spring and among the things you were looking forward to was this new park, After a 2-year delay due to the pandemic and permitting issues – What’s the status now?

What does it truly mean that this will be the region’s first universally-accessible playground?

How is the project being made possible?

Has the business community stepped up with support?

What’s the timetable at this point?

Where exactly will this be in the Lansing metro?

Has fundraising concluded for the project?

At the time of the recent announcement, CRCF released this information:

LANSING, MICH. -After a 2-year delay due to the pandemic and permitting issues, the Community Foundation is delighted to announce that construction is finally underway for Play Michigan!, the region’s first universally-accessible playground.

“We are thrilled to finally break ground on Play Michigan! and bring this much-needed project to our community,” said Laurie Strauss Baumer, president & CEO of the Community Foundation. “This playground will be a safe, inclusive, and accessible space for all children, regardless of their abilities.”

Play Michigan! is designed to meet the needs of children with physical, sensory, and other disabilities. The playground will feature wheelchair-accessible play equipment, specialty swings and ramps, sensory play areas, and other inclusive features, ensuring that children of all abilities can play side by side.

The project is made possible through the leadership of the Community Foundation, in partnership with the City of Lansing, along with local businesses and individuals who have made generous contributions, matched 1:1 by the Foundation.

“We’re inspired by the vision of this project and are so proud to support its development, which will provide a safe and inclusive play space for children in our community for years to come,” said Keri Kittmann, senior vice president, Business Performance, Strategy and Chief of Staff for AF Group.

Construction for Play Michigan! is expected to take several months, with the playground slated to open in September 2023.

This unique park will be located on the Grand River in downtown Lansing, highly visible near the southwest corner of Saginaw Street and Grand Avenue. The 66,000-square-foot park will include a custom, state-of-the-art, all-access playground that is 10,000 square feet. The park will also include a picnic deck, pavilion, dedicated barrier-free parking, and universal access to the river’s edge with a boardwalk and large platform designed for all children and adults to be up close to the river for viewing, picnicking, and fishing. 

For more information on Play Michigan! and how to support this important project, visit www.ourcommunity.org or contact Laurie Baumer, president & CEO of the Community Foundation, at LBaumer@ourcommunity.org or (517) 281-9054. 

The Community Foundation is passionate about creating vibrant, thriving communities throughout Michigan’s capital region. The Foundation serves donors to meet their unique charitable goals, supports area nonprofits with grants and coaching, and leads innovative projects that drive community growth. The Community Foundation (also known as the Capital Region Community Foundation) is a tax-exempt public charity whose mission is to lead philanthropic solutions that build vibrant communities in Ingham, Clinton, and Eaton counties.

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