Inclusion Park Opens Saturday

The Carroll County Inclusion Park will host its grand opening on Saturday, August 10 at 10 a.m. The park is located at 450 Fairgrounds Road in Huntingdon.

As part of the celebration face painting, food trucks and other amenities will be available.

Large donors, contributors and volunteers will be recognized for their contributions to the facility.

The group raised funds through special events, from municipalities, and a major donation for the County of Carroll and the State of Tennessee.

Lori Dillahunty, chairman, said “Having support is of the utmost importance to us. And now after receiving several grants from the state of Tennessee affirming what we have known all along. Carroll County families and friends will benefit from this unique playground for children of all ages and abilities.

“We are grateful to be receiving funds from the Tennessee Disability Coalition, Tennessee Art Commission, and the inclusive playground grant from the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. We also recently found out we are one of 14 recipients this year to be recognized as a Tennessee Healthy Built Environment. 137 letters of intent were submitted from across the state of Tennessee and we are encouraged that the committee wanted to partner with us and our project. This will add our location to a map on their website continuing to help us get information about our playground out to the public. When all is said and done we will have taken in over 1 million dollars for this project. We can’t thank the County Commission and our granters enough for getting us here.

The park started with the idea of at least having a swing designed for children with limited mobility and soon, the ad hoc group of volunteers envisioned greater things. The board of volunteers started with a bake sale in 2021. As word spread, more and more people in the community would share their experiences of taking their children to other cities with inclusion parks so they could be included as other children play.

Support for the project was widespread with people eager to provide for those who are not always included in activities. The idea soon expanded beyond a single inclusive swing. The project raised more than $1 million to construct and maintain the special playground. The County of Carroll provided $400,000 and the Tennessee Art Commission. The Town of Huntingdon provided the real estate for the project.

New inclusive restrooms were constructed and include adjustable height sinks and changing tables, suitable for children or adults.

Water will be available during the opening event.