Clinton Township breaks ground on inclusive playground

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Outdoor fun just got a bit more accessible in Clinton Township.

The township held a groundbreaking for an inclusive playground, which is located on the Civic Center grounds, on July 18. A crowd of politicians and community members gathered under clear skies to move the first shovelfuls of the project. According to Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon, the land didn’t always hold so much promise.

“At one time this property was a piece of junk — years ago,” Cannon said.

Cannon went on to say that a stretch of road was supposed to run through the area where the playground is being built. He said that with community support, the $1 million project was halted and the funds were diverted into technology for the township.

“This whole property is much nicer than it would be as a three-lane road going nowhere, that other roads take care of,” he said.

The new playground will consist of three structures for different age groups. The equipment has a nature theme with the appearance of a river. There are frogs, mushrooms and logs incorporated around the green and brown playscapes. The playground also has a quiet area for those who feel overwhelmed and need a breather from playing. It’s expected to be ready in October, according to Clinton Township Treasurer Paul Gieleghem.

Though the park is geared toward those with disabilities, Cannon stressed that this park is for everyone. It will be situated between the splash pad, library and the Clinton Township Historical Museum. The project is a culmination of thousands of dollars in community fundraising and government funds.

State Rep. Denise Mentzer, D-Mount Clemens, and state Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe, who were both instrumental in getting state funding for the project, spoke at the event. The project received a boost from a $1 million appropriation from the 2024 state budget, which the two worked to secure.

“This shows you what a true partnership in Lansing can do for our communities,” Mentzer said.

Clinton Township Inclusive Playground Pals, a volunteer group, headed up efforts to get the project going. Working with the Arc of Macomb, a nonprofit that assists people with disabilities in the community, the Pals got the ball rolling for the program with a letter to Gieleghem five years ago.

Inclusive Playground Committee Chair AnnMarie Ottoy said fundraising took many forms, including everything from drive-in movies to a battle of the bands. The community fundraising netted $135,000 for the project. The Clinton Township Board of Trustees approved an additional $300,000 in funding, closing the gap on the $1.4 million project.

Gieleghem said the project is an example of how government is supposed to work.

“Residents and citizens petitioning their government for what they want to see in their communities for their families: That’s the way it’s supposed to work,” he said. “That’s the way it worked here and we couldn’t be more pleased.”

Gieleghem said that the township makes up 11% of the county’s population but is home to 25% of the county’s families who have a member with a disability. He said this may be due to the hospitals, schools and affordable housing.

“All of those things come together and beg the question: ‘Are we really serving everyone in our community?’” he said. “I think when the board learned that, to their credit, they stepped up.”

Near the end of the ceremony, Cannon highlighted community members who work on projects like the inclusive playground.

“We are lucky to have people this passionate and this loyal to a population that needs extra help from time to time,” Cannon said.

Ottoy said how grateful she was to the community for making the playground a reality.

“Here we are today poised to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of children, if not thousands, giving them an opportunity to spend carefree time outdoors playing and making friends outside of the four walls of school, home, doctor’s appointments and therapy appointments,” Ottoy said. “This was the hope I first had when I wrote this letter to Paul (Gieleghem), but also the idea that building inclusive communities starts with each one of us and can be as simple as playing on a playground.”

Ottoy said her 24-year-old son, Zachary, who is disabled and nonverbal, will appreciate the swings.

“The swings are what he’ll enjoy most at this playground, and that’s what I’m looking forward to taking him on,” she said.