St. Mary Mercy Livonia, Rotary Club and others to construct
universally accessible playground at Rotary Park
Playground marks first project of new Healthy Livonia collaboration
LIVONIA, Mich. (Oct. 23, 2017) – A new universally accessible playground will be constructed at Rotary Park, funded in part through a new collaboration called Healthy Livonia, made up of five organizations across Livonia committed to improving the health of the local community by funding and developing innovative solutions. In addition, the project has received a $300,000 Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) grant from the state of Michigan due in large part to the assistance of State Representative Laura Cox. The new structure will be completed by September 30, 2018.
“The new Rotary Park universally accessible playground is an exciting and highly anticipated addition to Livonia,” said Cox. “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and play, regardless of their abilities. This completely accessible playground will provide families throughout our community with a space that all children can enjoy.”
Located at Six Mile and Hubbard Street, the new playground will take the place of the existing play structure on the southwest side of the park, which was previously donated by the Livonia Rotary in 1995. More than ADA accessible, this first-of-its-kind playground in Livonia will be designed for all ages and level of ability ranging from sensory difficulties to limited mobility and visual impairment.
"This project would not be possible without the support of so many community members," said Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, City of Livonia Parks and Recreation. "Especially Livonia Rotary and Marty Talty for his vision with this project, Dave Spivey at St. Mary Mercy for imagining a healthier Livonia and his leadership with the Healthy Livonia initiative, and our State Representative Laura Cox for her assistance with the MEDC grant."
Key features of this playground include:
· Swings for all abilities
· Ramps and transfer stations with multiple climbing options
· Accessible seating area
· Bottle filling station
The Rotary Club of Livonia has been planning and fundraising for this major project since 2012, according to Marty Talty, past president, Rotary Club of Livonia, who is leading the playground planning. "Rotary Park is one of largest and most used parks in Livonia. It has been the Rotary Club’s vision to provide a play scape that children of all abilities would enjoy. It was also important to us that multiple organizations work together to bring a project of this scope to reality."
Healthy Livonia, spearheaded by St. Mary Mercy Livonia, a member of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, has committed $100,000 over three years toward the playground in addition to more than $65,000 raised so far by the Rotary Club of Livonia. The total cost of the playground is $450,000.
Healthy Livonia collaboration
Launched July 2016, Healthy Livonia is made up of St. Mary Mercy Livonia, Livonia Parks and Recreation department, Livonia Public Schools, Livonia Chamber of Commerce and the city of Livonia. The model brings together community partners committed to making Livonia a healthier place by leveraging resources to create a greater impact, effectively transforming the health of the local community.
"We realized if we came together and focused our efforts and resources, we could really make a difference," said Dave Spivey, president and CEO, St. Mary Mercy Livonia, who chairs Healthy Livonia. "As community anchors, we want to move beyond our own four walls to transform the way the community addresses its health and energize the community to focus on healthy living."
"Healthy communities have gathering places with residents who take advantage of healthy activities. We want to provide what is needed so that making the healthy choice is the easy choice," Spivey added.
With a special emphasis on infrastructure, parks, children and seniors, key target areas for Healthy Livonia include reducing obesity, addressing behavioral health issues, and focusing on engaging Livonia residents to take command of their health by making healthy choices when it comes to food and exercise.
St. Mary Mercy is supporting the Healthy Livonia initiative by committing the initial funding of $200,000 per year over five years. A steering committee made up of members from the participating organizations serve as the driving force to determine funding criteria and goals of the group.
In addition to supporting the Rotary playground, Healthy Livonia has also donated 45 memberships to the Jack E. Kirksey Livonia Community Recreation Center to Livonia Public School families to encourage health and wellness.
About Healthy Livonia
Launched in July 2016, Healthy Livonia is made up of St. Mary Mercy Livonia hospital, Livonia Parks and Recreation department, Livonia Public Schools, Livonia Chamber of Commerce and the city of Livonia. The model brings together community partners committed to making Livonia a healthier place by leveraging resources to create a greater impact, effectively transforming the health of the local community.
