BETHESDA, MD – The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in partnership with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary Club, Montgomery Parks Foundation and the Friends of Norwood Park dedicated a universally accessible playground at Norwood Local Park.
The B-CC Rotary Club and Friends of Norwood Park raised over $150,000 dollars for the purchase and installation of the playground equipment, commemorative storyboards and means of donor recognition.
“The public/private partnership between M-NCPPC, the BCC Rotary, the Montgomery Parks Foundation and the Friends of Norwood Park made this playground a reality,” said Derick P. Berlage, chairman of M-NCPPC’s Montgomery County Planning Board.
The playground includes a totally accessible structure with decks, ramps, slides, a fire truck, clubhouse, a tire swing, two old fashioned see-saws, an airplane spring toy, four tot swings, a whirl/merry-goround, and an older kids’ fitness structure with a track ride, turning bars, log roll and three rotating rings.
Accessible playgrounds provide active, safe recreational opportunities for children of all abilities to play together. M-NCPPC currently offers fully accessible playgrounds at Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park in Silver Spring and at Falls Road Local Park in Potomac.
“Our B-CC Rotary sought out this community project as part of its worldwide PolioPlus program,” said Pam Cudahy, Club President. “It is our way of celebrating Rotary International’s centennial year in 2005. It has been especially rewarding to work in partnership with M-NCPPC, the Montgomery Parks Foundation and the community.”
A worldwide service organization of approximately 1.2 million business and professional leaders in 166 countries, Rotary International launched the PolioPlus program in 1985 to protect children from the consequences of polio.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the participation of all individuals in its programs and facilities. For assistance with special needs, such as large print materials, sign language interpretation, listening devices, etc., please call 301-495-4600, TTY 301-495-1331 or the Maryland Relay Service
