Introducing a New Product

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All Inclusive Playground Monroe County Public
Meeting September 29, 2010
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Agenda

• Who are we?
• Why are we doing this?
• Background history of project
• How will it be funded?
• Where will it be built?
• What will it look like?
• How can YOU help?
• Closing remarks
• Open forum QA

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Who Are We?

• Project Team Members
• Neal Gallagher Project Director
• Kevin Casebolt Fundraising / Grants
• Jackie Elliott Community Liaison
• Alex Grum Project Controls / Budget
• Dina Peterson Marketing / Corporate
  Sponsorships
• Ken Van Camp Operations / Design

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Who Are We?
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Who Are We?

• Crossing Abilities Monroe Countys All Inclusive
  Playground is our project name, which is being
  supported by BPLL Challenger
• Big Pocono Little League Challenger Division is
  affiliated with Big Pocono Little League (BPLL)
• BPLL provides Pocono Jackson Township children
  the opportunity to participate in various levels
  of softball and baseball programs
• BPLL is a certified not-for-profit 501(c)(3)
• Incorporated in 2007, the Challenger program
  operates exclusively as a non-profit educational
  organization providing a chance for children of
  all capabilities to play sports, and learn
  teamwork and sportsmanship.
• We are run 100 by a dedicated group of
  safety-oriented volunteers. BPLL won the 2009
  national ASAP (A Safety Awareness Program) award
  and 2008 regional safety manual award.

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Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement Crossing Abilities Monroe
Countys All Inclusive Playground will create a
safe and accessible outdoor playground that
fosters imaginative play and developmental
learning. This will enhance the quality of life
of children with disabilities through fitness and
socialization. At this playground, differences
disappear and children share experiences with
their peers, while exploring equipment and
learning at their own level.
With YOUR help, we plan to make this mission
statement a REALITY!!
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Why build An All Inclusive Playground?

• There are more than 2,000 children with
  disabilities in Monroe County alone
• There is not currently an all inclusive
  playground in Monroe County
• Children with disabilities need to be integrated
  with their peers

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What is the project emphasis?

• Inclusion including children of a variety of
  ages with a variety of special needs from all of
  Monroe County and beyond.
• Interaction through a variety of interactive
  equipment.
• Integration by situating the playground adjacent
  to an existing playground.

Crossing Abilities Monroe Countys All
Inclusive Playground
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History of the Project

• The project was originally organized under BPLL
  Challenger and due to the size and far-reaching
  breadth of this project, it has snow-balled
  very quickly and has evolved beyond the umbrella
  of BPLL.
• Therefore, this project will be covered under
  another not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization
• SO.where are we now??

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How Will the PlaygroundBe Funded?

• In July, we were awarded 25K from the Pocono
  Mountains Community Fundraiser(organized by
  sanofi pasteur)a Special Thanks!!!
• This seed money will be used for the planning
  and design study and project start-up costs
• We plan to solicit other grants, both public
  private
• Corporate sponsorships
• Fundraisers
• Youthe community at-large in Monroe County
• Total project cost, depending on phase(s)
  implemented,
• could exceed several 100sK

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How Will the PlaygroundBe Funded?

• Your donations will not go unrecognized!!
• Proposed Levels of Gifts Circle of Friends
• Platinum
• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze
• Copper
• Gifts can be in the form of monetary donations,
  piece(s) of equipment, plaques/signage, walkway
  bricks or simply your time effort

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Proposed Level of Gifts

• Playground Clubhouse
• Water fountain
• Swing Set
• Slides
• Ladder
• Monkey Bar
• See Saw
• Sandbox
• Etc.

• Platinum
• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze
• Copper

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Where Will the Playground Be Built?

• In Monroe County.
• Although we are flexible, presently the
  playground is slated to be incorporated within
  and adjacent to the existing playground at
  Mountain View Park at the base of Camelback
• Other locations being considered are
• Behind former TLC, to the left of the existing
  playground
• HJP Regional Park, 145 acres of land already
  purchased by Hamilton/Jackson/Pocono Townships on
  Golden Slipper Road in Bartonsville
• Other sites, up for discussion
• Exact location to be decided collaboratively with
  the Parks Commission

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Possible Design
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Pictures of Similar Playgrounds / Equipment
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Pictures of Similar Playgrounds / Equipment
McDade Park Scranton, PA
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Pictures of Similar Playgrounds / Equipment
Firefly Field - Matamoras, PA
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Plans for construction

• A phased project
• Each phase will be a mini project through
  completion of each phase
• Each additional phase will be additive to the
  overall project with the goal that the playground
  will be operable and the end of each phase

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Plans for construction

• A possible path forward could be to structure the
  execution and construction of the playground as a
  Community Event (modeled after a Habitat for
  Humanity project)
• A Community Built Playground
• One such example..
• www.possibilityplayground.org

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A Community Built Playground
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Plans for construction

• High Level Project Timeline
• Planning/Estimation Q4 2010 (3 mos)
• Marketing/Fund Raising Q4 2010 (12-18 mos)
• Detailed Design/Permits Q1 2011 (12 mos)
• Construction Q1 2012 (6 mos)
• Park Opening Q3 2012
• Overall project estimated to last approximately
  24 mos
• NOTE Timelines are strictly estimates, based on
  funding, weather, participation, etcBUT it can
  be done!!

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Why Hold a Public Meeting?

• We would like to raise public awareness for this
  very exciting project, BUT
• We need involvement from you, the
• Community Leaders
• Parks Commission
• Special Needs Experts
• Parents Children with Disabilities
• Media Relations
• Corporate Supporters
• Financial Benefactors
• General Contractors
• Laborers / Lay People
• Volunteers..

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What Else Needs to be Done? How can I Help?

• A lot!!!!
• Sign in at this meeting and get involved
• We will be forming committees for each discipline

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What Else Needs to be Done? How can I Help?

• Copy of volunteer sign-up sheet

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Next Steps / Contact Info

• Contact Info
• Neal GallagherCell [phone]
• Visit us at www.crossingabilities.org
• Email us at information_at_crossingabilities.org
• Facebook page crossingabilities

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Our Website
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Upcoming Meetings

• Plan to meet every 3rd Tues of the month, Jackson
  Twp Bldg 7PM
• Oct 19th
• Nov 16th
• Dec 21st
• Please mark your calendars

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Questions / Answers