Santa Cruz County receives grant for all-inclusive playground

The County of Santa Cruz received a $352,000 grant to construct the county’s first all-inclusive playground.

Chanticleer County Park has been chosen for the all-inclusive playground site in Live Oak. County officials said it will be a place where children can play without barriers no matter their abilities.

Chanticleer Park sits on 4.5 acres of land. The California Department of Housing and Community Development helped fund Phase 1 construction which includes parking, restroom, pathways, garden improvements, bike pump track and off-leash dog areas.

“We’re grateful to the Department of Housing and Community Development for continuing the incredible momentum behind Chanticleer Park. This shows what a community can do when it comes together,” Santa Cruz County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said.

The budget for the Chanticleer County Park is $8.3 million. The Santa Cruz County Playground Project plans to raise $1.9 million. The county said it has funded approximately 80 percent of its costs.

Fundraising for the project began in 2016. With the help of donors and local community groups the county has been able to raise $2 million. Officials said fundraising should be complete by 2018.

“I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of the Santa Cruz County community,” said Patricia Potts, founder of the Santa Cruz Playground Project and whose children, Lauren, Evelyn and Oliver, are the inspiration for LEO’s Haven. “This grant brings our dream one step closer to reality and a day when we recognize all members of our community as equals.”

The Santa Cruz County Parks Department is matching all donations to LEO’s Haven, up to $250,000.
To make a donation visit:http://www.santacruzplaygroundproject.org/donate./