Pocono News Section

Special New Playground Debuts in Scranton

Special New Playground Debuts in Scranton - Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 4:40PM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 @ 04:40pm EDT
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- There's a new place for kids of all ages and abilities to play in Lackawanna County. The region's first ÒboundlessÓ playground opened Tuesday morning. ItÕs located at McDade Park in Scranton.

This playground has been more than a year in the making. It cost about $500,000. Kids in wheelchairs and kids with special needs can now all play together and they got to test it out for the first time today.

12-year-old Kody Slominski was like any other kid Tuesday morning Ð playing and having fun on this new playground at McDade Park. KodyÕs mother Debra Boston said, ÒThis is awesome. This is like 10 years overdue."

What you don't know is that Kody suffers from a neurological disorder. He's one of only five kids in the world with the disease.

Seeing him interact with other kids was too emotional for his mother. ÒI want to cry,Ó she said.

That's the goal of Lackawanna County's first boundless playground. A playground where children with any ability, or disability, can come together. Educational Aide Ruth Tarby said, ÒItÕs nice that they know and itÕs nice that they're able to interact. Its good for them and its good for the normal kids."

NEIU Teacher Linda Kusy said, ÒItÕs a once in a lifetime opportunity for them almost. They've never experienced anything like this before. ItÕs pretty incredible."

The playground cost roughly $500,000. ThatÕs money well spent to Commissioner Corey O'Brien, who was choked up by seeing all the kids smiling. ÒIt brings out a lot of emotion in me -- because I see these children who have not been able to do this before and itÕs special," he said.

Also special because it puts northeast Pennsylvania on the map. Boundless Playgrounds CEO Fred Leone said, ÒLackawanna County is now a leader in the inclusive playground movement. This program rivals that of many major cities."

This playground at McDade Park is the first of three planned for Lackawanna County. Construction is already underway for ones in South Abington Township and Dunmore.

All of the money is coming from landfill trust and state gaming dollars.