FeedsRotary seeks upgrades for Tanger
The Tanger Center in Plymouth has given local special needs children the opportunity to learn and build confidence. Now, a group of local activists want them to be able to play.
During the Plymouth Canton Community Schools board meeting Tuesday, members of the Plymouth Rotary Club gave a presentation to the board highlighting a program to revamp the outside playing facilities at the special needs school to provide a park that is appropriate, fun and meets their needs.
“We want to create a park appropriate for all special needs youth and for their siblings and friends without special needs,” said Debra Madonna, a member of the Plymouth Rotary who prepared the presentation.
Much of Madonna’s presentation was around the concept of Able To Play—an innovative project to develop playgrounds where children of all abilities and ages can grow, learn and play together safely.
Madonna said the group has spent a year developing a plan to modernize the playground at Tanger. Efforts included hiring a professional landscape architect to identify changes, and building a fundraising structure to help pay for the costs.
Mary Kay Herr, a special-needs teachers at Tanger, said the opportunity to have children with developmental issues play alongside their siblings and friends who may not have developmental issues opens new doors for her students.
“Our long-tem goal is to make our youth functional and give them skills for living,” said the 30-year veteran of the Plymouth-Canton school district.
District officials said the idea is laudable, but community support is needed to help fund the changes to the play facility. Frank Ruggirello, director of community relations for the district said the schools have been involved in the Rotary Club’s planning and will continue the relationship.
“Everyone agrees on the important role the Tanger Center plays in our community,” he said. “We will continue to work closely together.”
