BROWNSVILLE — La Esparanza Community Park in Cameron Park will soon have an all-inclusive playground thanks to the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation.
The foundation has awarded a $500,000 grant to Cameron County, which will allow the construction of the playground that will provide play opportunities for special needs children.
“The all-inclusive playground concept is certainly a much needed program to reach more children, or people in general, for a better quality of life. The Legacy Foundation is proud to be a partner in this project,” said Randy Baker, executive director of the Legacy Foundation.
The playground will provide maximum American With Disabilities Act accessibility. It will be the first of its kind in the County Park System and in Brownsville.
“We greatly appreciate the wonderful funding opportunity that the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation has provided to Cameron County,” said County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. in a press release. “The all-inclusive playground will allow kids both with disabilities and non-disabilities to partake and explore the fun, educational and inclusive opportunities that this playground will offer.”
In 2016, the Brownsville Independent School District had an estimated 5,136 special needs students enrolled in the district and 500 of these students attend five of the schools that are located near Cameron Park.
“On behalf of the BISD community, thank you to the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation for their generous support toward building the all-inclusive park. Our special needs students will greatly benefit having access to the numerous activities at the all-inclusive park. Congratulations on a wonderful project for our community, said BISD Superintendent Esperanza Zendejas.
Parks Director Joe Vega said county officials look forward to breaking ground in the near future and that the park will be a “catalyst to a significantly unmet need in the area that will improve the quality of life for the children of Cameron County.”
The county anticipates breaking ground this fall. The project should be completed by August 2018.
