Highland gets a playground without soaking taxpayers

Highland wanted children with disabilities to be able to play alongside other kids, but didn't have the $250,000 needed to create the special playground.

Did they raise taxes to get it? Did they decide youngsters could go without or wait a few years? Did they get a grant from another taxing body and pretend it was free money?

Nope. They got busy.

They won a $30,000 grant from Disney. Then they held a running event and later a bicycle ride to raise funds. On Sept. 2 they are hosting a concert with raffles and a tailgate party with the band to raise extra money.

"Many people ask me if we, 'really need this playground?' And my answer is, 'Yes.' Because, if anyone ever talks with a family that has a disabled family member, their typical response is usually, 'Finally,'" said Mark Rosen, Highland's parks and recreation director.

See a need, figure out a path forward. That seems like a much better version of providing recreation and leadership than allowing your community's youngsters to go seven years without even a splash pad to get cool during the summer.

This story was originally published June 29, 2018 at 12:34 PM.