Anderson Township Park District

The Anderson Township Park District believes no child should have to sit on the sidelines and watch as their friends and siblings have fun. That is why the Anderson Township Park District is creating a playground at Beech Acres Park where all children, with and without disabilities, can play and learn together in a healthy recreational environment. Additionally, this playground will take on a special significance for our community due to the tragic events surrounding Marcus Fiesel.

THE PLAYGROUND'S DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION
Playground Status and Donation Packet

The Beech Acres Park Playground Committee, an ATPD partner, consists of a group of residents who eagerly lent their opinions in planning the design and have assisted in the initial fundraising. The group involves parents, friends of children with disabilities, and others interested in creating an exciting play setting that is truly accessible and inclusive.

This all-inclusive playground is like no other playground in our park system. It is expected to become a landmark for the community while inspiring both active and imaginative play. It involves an eye-catching Riverboat Shelter docked on a ‘river’ that provides natural separation between a tot-lot and a school-aged children’s play area. Each section features unique elements and offers play opportunities for children of varying physical abilities. Most notable features include a canyon climb (phase IV), train station, train, riverboat shelter, tree house (phase IV), play house, water play, sand play, and sway fun. Many minor elements such as an arched bridge, walking paths, shaded pergolas and unique surfacing will tie together the intended river and village theme. Some of these areas will even be reservable for special occasions.

The playground for Beech Acres Park has been designed to give children with all abilities an opportunity for a fun, positive play experience. The first three phases of construction have been completed and are now open for play. Some features in these areas include, swings, sand play area, playhouse, mini-mountain, train, splash play area, and a riverboat shelter. The final phase of construction will bring a climbing wall and a tree-house themed play unit with numerous play opportunities.

The construction has been a collaborative effort led by the Anderson Township Park District in conjunction with local homebuilders, landscapers, and other businesses and individuals willing to assist with the building effort.

ART IN THE PARK - PUBLIC INVITED!!!
Another exciting facet of the playground’s construction involves the “Art in the Park” initiative, made possible through a gift provided to the ATPD by the Green Grubbers Garden Club. This initiative provides youth and adults with the opportunity to donate their time and artistic talents to create mosaic designs that will enhance the theme of the playground, benches and other structures within the playground environment.

If you are interested in getting involved with this effort, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Brian Jordan, (513) 474-0003 ext. 5093 or email, and indicate the interests and talents that you are willing to lend to the process. We are planning to complete the project with as much community involvement as possible and look forward to you joining us.

FUNDING THE PLAYGROUND
The design is estimated to cost $580,000 (including labor) and we are challenged to raise all funds outside of our park district’s operating budget. So far, the playground fundraising effort has made significant progress:

Financial assistance has been provided by The H.G., H.F. & L.T. Dornette Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Stan Koller, Co-Trustees in the amount of $100,000.
The Marge and Charles J. Schott Foundation committed to make a $200,000 gift to the Anderson Township Park District over the next two years for the construction of the all-inclusive playground.
Funds have also been raised from the Jack McClure Memorial Fund, the yearly Run to Remember event ($18,300 total from the last four years), the annual Greater Anderson Days celebration ($36,000 during the last three years*) and numerous contributions.

*2007 numbers not included yet.
A section of the playground was built in memory of Marcus Fiesel due to the outpouring of requests from residents for a tangible memorial within our community. WLWT- TV Channel 5, Darryl Parks & 700 WLW- The Big One, with Jim Scott leading the charge, organized a fundraiser in the name of Marcus Fiesel, which raised a combined $77,945. This included donations from over 1,100 businesses and individuals around the greater Cincinnati area. If you would like to contribute in Marcus’ name to the proposed All-Inclusive Playground, you can do so by clicking here.
In addition to monetary donations, the Starbucks “Make your Mark” initiative helped with the opening of phase two of the playground. Starbucks employees and patrons contributed 120 hours of work landscaping and cleaning the playground in order to get it ready for the June 23rd 2007 grand opening.
The Anderson Township Trustees contributed $50,000 to Beech Acres Park for necessary infrastructure improvements that make Anderson more “Active-Friendly”.

Phase II of the Playground, dedicated to Marcus Fiesel, was opened to the public in June of 2007. The Park District has completed Phase III (the river boat shelter and play area) and is looking forward to the final portion, Phase IV (canyon climb). The completed phases were made possible as a result of the hard work and extreme generosity of so many members of our community. However, the ATPD is still fundraising for the $100,000 needed to complete the last phase.

The ATPD continues to welcome individuals, corporations, businesses, and organizations to assist with this worthwhile endeavor. Click here to make a donation to the Playground Fund or call (513) 474-0003 x5093 to discuss additional possibilities.