All-inclusive/accessible toy opens at Community Park

By Gary Scott on September 21, 2016 at 7:09am

A brand new All-inclusive/Accessible” toy is now open at Community Park.

Working in conjunction with the Jacksonville Elks Lodge 682, the City of Jacksonville was able to erect a new, handicap-accessible toy for the community’s youth to enjoy.

On-hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday was Mayor Andy Ezard, who spoke about the impact this new toy will have on the community.

“I was thrilled when Kelly Hall, I believe last winter, came to me and said that this was a concept that they had and that they had some money available to do a project like this, and then it just snowballed from there. The Elks Club worked real well with Kelly. A lot of us at City government are Elks Club members so it was just a natural and a win-win. They stepped up at the right time and it’s certainly a positive for our community to have an all-accessible toy for everyone to enjoy,” says Ezard.

Ezard also expressed appreciation for everyone who made this project possible.

“Well this could not have happened at a better time and I certainly want to thank the Elks Club, they really stepped up at the right time. With the Kiwanis addition of the new toy over on the west side and now this all-accessible toy, it really brings things into Community Park, recreation opportunities. It’s been a great opportunity

Other donors include Home Depot, Morthole Masonry, and Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corp.

The new “All-Inclusive/Accessible” toy is located on the east side of Community Park near the basketball hoops.