Inclusive playground opens at Dillon State Park

NASHPORT − Dignitaries and excited school children braved gusty wind and unseasonably cool temperatures to officially open the new handicap accessible playground at Dillon State Park on Monday.

The new playground is part of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources efforts to increase accessibility in their parks, said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. "We've been making a real effort to make sure that our parks are accessible and available to people of all abilities," she said, noting statewide investment in ADA accessible kayak launches, playgrounds and restrooms. "We want everyone in the state to feel welcome and safe. And this is a giant, beautiful example of what we can do."

The playground was built thanks to a donation from the Straker Foundation for $293,000. The foundation's executive director Susan Holdren said the project was one they could easily say yes to.

“At our foundation our mission is to enhance and empower lives in Muskingum County with our vision being building a stronger community with opportunity and promise. We especially are fond of projects that involve children so this playground, which will serve children of differing abilities, meets our criteria in many ways," Holdren said.

The new park is one of several projects ODNR has in the works in Southeast Ohio, Mertz said. A new nature center and camp store for Dillon State Park are in the engineering stages, and a new 30-mile hiking trail near The Wilds is expected to be completed next summer. The loop will encompass part of the Buckeye Trail that passes through the Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area and connects The Wilds to Jesse Owens State Park. The project is being partially funded by the Straker Foundation as well. Holdren said foundation hopes to partner with the state on more trails in the future.

The new playground features a large expanse of rubberized surface and several amenities accessible for children with disabilities, including a equipment for children in wheelchairs. Several benches, provided by the Friends of Dillon, surround the playground. Lisa Daris, executive director of the Ohio State Parks Foundation, thanked the Straker Foundation "for making this magical playground happen."

"This the largest and most impactful project we have done," Dari said.

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