Serious child’s play

PPL volunteers help to build a playground for children with disabilities

For children with disabilities, finding a place to play can be difficult. But thanks to PPL and volunteers from PPL Electric Utilities, these youth in the Harrisburg, Pa., area now have a playground to call their own.

Thousands of volunteers, including several from the West Shore Service Center, turned out to help with the Adventure Zone Playground project near Mechanicsburg. PPL Electric Utilities donated utility poles to be used on the project, and PPL Corporation is donating $5,000 to the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, which is funding the project.

The accessible playground is part of Adventure Zone park, 53 acres of land donated by Capital Area Christian Church that features pavilions, athletic fields and fitness trails. The park also has a series of tunnels, bridges and a maze designed for kids in wheelchairs. Completion is scheduled for Aug. 24.

“PPL Corporation is honored to partner with other community organizations to assist in the funding and construction of the Adventure Zone Playground,” said Jim Nulton, PPL community relations director in the Harrisburg region. “It is vital to the quality of life for our neighbors that we join the community in providing a fully handicapped-accessible playground for our children. PPL is proud of our employees who have made this project a reality.”

Volunteers set a goal to raise $605,000 for the playground’s completion and maintenance, $395,000 of which has been raised. Before the playground can be turned over to the kids, a $120,000 rubberized floor needs to be installed. The rest of the funds raised will be used to maintain the playground.