For Immediate Release

September 30, 2015

Contact: Tammy Sharp

Public Information Director
337.238.2283

Leesville Officials Break Ground for Handicap Playground Equipment at Leesville Municipal Golf Course Park

LEESVILLE, La.--Leesville Mayor Rick Allen, the Leesville City Council and a crowd of supporters and donors broke ground Monday, September 28, 2015, on a project that will provide handicap playground equipment at the Leesville Municipal Golf Course Park.

The project had its beginnings with local Darryl Woofter, who wanted to provide his granddaughter, Macy SanNicolas, a place to play. Since earlier this year, donors and supporters of the project have collected approximately $12,500 to be used toward the installation of handicap accessible playground equipment in the Leesville Municipal Park and at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.

The City has used the funds to purchase multiple pieces of equipment, including swings that accommodate wheelchairs as well as those that provide face-to-face interaction between parents and infants. Signage and materials to create paths and landscaping that are easily maneuvered by wheelchairs will also be purchased.

"I'd like to personally thank everyone who has been involved in this process," said Leesville Mayor Rick Allen. "Every child deserves a place to play, and now through the generosity of so many, we've made that possible for all the children in Leesville. Our original goal was $1,000 so that we could buy one piece of equipment, but volunteers like Jill Leonard of Jillybeans and Darryl Woofter far exceeded that goal."

Mayor Allen, Leesville City Council members, Macy SanNicolas, her family, friends, and many of the donors who provided funds were present to help celebrate the groundbreaking.

Installation of the equipment is expected to occur within the next few months. The groundbreaking for the MLK Center Park is October 12, 2015.

To view or use photos from this event click here.

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The City of Leesville, the best hometown in the world, is a historic yet visionary community. As the parish seat of Vernon Parish, where Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center are located, the City of Leesville is home to military families, retired veterans and a growing and strongly patriotic citizenry that provides the basis of a well-rounded and work-ready workforce.

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