Becker Park Playground Project Gets $50K Donation

The Crystal City Council recently approved the purchase of an inclusive playground at Becker Park.

The new play area will have a rubberized surface, which makes it easy for wheelchairs and strollers to navigate. Paul’s Pals, a nonprofit that works to improve the lives of children with disabilities, recently gave the city a $50,000 grant. The money will go toward the $627,000 playground.

“Paul’s Pals is a great group to work with. We’re very grateful for their help,” John Elholm, director of Crystal’s Parks and Recreation Department. “We’ve talked on and off over the past several months and they provide great support and great ideas. And we greatly appreciate the funding.”

The city also wants to purchase a We-Go-Round, an inclusive merry-go-round that would cost around $28,000. The city is still fundraising for that, though St. Therese senior living recently offered to commit $10,000 for the amenity.

photo of a We-Go-Round

When fully complete in 2020, a makeover of Becker Park will not only feature an inclusive play area, but also a patio with shade, interactive fountain, performance lawn, picnic area, walking paths, accessible restrooms and ice skating loop.

The city’s goal is to have a destination park that offers people off all background and abilities a place to meet throughout the day and year.

Crystal