A place for everyone to play

By Kris Leonhardt

Editor-in-chief

KEWAUNEE – A non-profit group is working to create a place where all kids can come together and build relationships in Kewaunee’s Bruemmer Park.

“We are a non-profit group of parents, caregivers and friends of kids with differing abilities, and we want to put in a better park for kids that have and build communication or relationships for children of any age,” said Bruemmer Park Inclusive Playground Committee President Rhonda Detampal.

“And our mission is to see a fully-inclusive playground built in Kewaunee County at Bruemmer Park.

“When we would take kids to play at the playground, we noticed that a lot of kids weren’t included, so we came up with the idea that it would be great to get an inclusive playground put in that’s centrally located. It’ll be at Bruemmer Park and all the surrounding communities can come and play.”

Detampal said that the playground is designed so that children have the abilities to be to play, but it will also be “challenging and fun” while ensuring that no one is left out.

“The project is going to cost $450,000; that is because half of that is going to the playground equipment and the other half is to cover the concrete footings and specialized foam that goes over that. We are not using wood chips. So that’s why the price is higher that way,” she added.

“I think the zoo group is going to try to get the bathrooms upgraded as well, so that way we have an upgrade to all the playground equipment and any necessary bathroom needs for special-needs kids as well.”

The playground will include many unique amenities, such as a zipline and a wheelchair merry-go-round that all kids can play on, with all of the equipment connected with ramps.

The committee is currently fundraising and taking donations, while working on obtaining grant funding,

The run walk

A 5/10k fun run/walk fundraiser will be held on Saturday, May 20, to benefit BPIP.

The run/walk will start and end at Bruemmer Park, E4280 Cty Rd F, Kewaunee.

This event begins at 9 a.m., with registration at 8 a.m.

A 5K and 10K loop will be marked, and participants can walk at their own pace.

Registration is due by May 19 at https://runsignup.com/bpiprunwalk

“Within the health department’s current Community Health Improvement Plan, we are focusing on physical activity for all age groups and abilities. We have identified gaps within this area. This inclusive playground, will help people of all ages and abilities increase their physical activity, and bring something really special to Kewaunee County,” Kewaunee County Public Health Director Cindy Kinnard

For more information on the walk/run, contact Kewaunee County WIC Program Director/ Public Health Dietitian Rachel Bauer at (920) 388-7163 or bauer.rachel@kewauneeco.org.

“We want to get everybody to be able to play together and make sure no one’s left out,” added Detampal.

Detampal said that the park is expected to be completed in 2025.

For more information on BPIP, contact bpipforkids@gmail.com or call Rhonda at (920)639-6272.