Playground planned for Ludington State Park.

Playground planned for Ludington State Park.

#LudingtonStatePark

Join the Friends of Ludington State Park Tuesday, June 20, from 5-7 p.m., to review plans for a new family-friendly, inclusive playground at Ludington State Park’s Hamlin Lake beach area.

Friends of Ludington State Park, along with the Ludington State Park staff, will present the plan for the playground that will feature an area for ages 2-5 and one for ages 5-12.

The playground is designed to provide accessible routes of travel and inclusive play activities so that children of all abilities can participate.

“We welcome comments on the project from everyone,” Craig Rathke, FLSP treasurer who led the design effort for the non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that supports projects and activities for the betterment of Ludington State Park.

The open house and fundraising kickoff will take place at the Hamlin beach picnic shelter. The Lake Michigan beach house will be used in case of inclement weather. Enjoy a s’more and a campfire as you learn about and review plans for the playground designed by Sinclair Recreation using GameTime equipment.

The FLSP board and LSP staff have long understood the need for a new playground at the park popular with campers, visitors and the local community. The existing playground equipment is more than 50 years old.

“This past winter we started planning for this project by interviewing four major playground company’s before selecting GameTime,” Rathke said.

“Our Family Friendly Inclusive Playground was designed by Sinclair Recreation, GameTime’s representative located in Holland, Michigan.”

GameTime is a leading US manufacturer of commercial playgrounds. Its products combine play research with thoughtful design to create award-winning playgrounds for people of all abilities.

This will be a community build event, tentatively scheduled for 2018, with involvement from the FLSP volunteers, Ludington State Park staff and community members.

The cost of the project will be announced at the event as will plans to raise the needed funds.

The FLSP has already committed to $30,000 towards the cost and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will also provide partial funding. The FLSP commitment includes $13,000 it received for the project’s seed money as charity beneficiary of the 2017 Pure Ludington Brrrewfest this past January, for which FLSP provided volunteers.

“We are looking for financial support from our local communities and Ludington State Park
visitors to help us accomplish this goal,” Bob Sassin, FLSP president said.

To keep up with developments and donor opportunities, follow FLSP on its Friends of Ludington State Park Facebook page. Details will also be posted to its website, www.ludingtonfriends.com. You may also email FLSPplaground@gmail.com.

Attend the open house and design unveil at the Hamlin Lake beach picnic area in Ludington State Park Tuesday, June 20, from 5-7 p.m. to learn much more. The s’mores are on FLSP.

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