Future Ottawa playground races June deadline

In Ottawa, the push to finish phase 1 of the “all inclusive playground” is underway.

Mayor Bob Eschbach, city planner Tami Huftel and Commissioner James Less and others broke ground Saturday near Riordan pool. Turning soil over also was fundraising chairman June Steder and  Andrea Medrow and Didi Contreras, founders of “If There’s a Wheel, There’s a Way” and the inspiration for the project.

Kiwanis International awarded $25,000 toward Phase 1, but stipulated a June 1 deadline for installation.  Steder’s committee can cover Phase 1, costing $100,000.  There’s $50,000 in the bank for Phase 2, but another $100,000 is needed for that.

If you want to help, make a check out to Ottawa YMCA and mark “O K Pip” on the memo.  Mail it to Ottawa Kiwanis, Box 2206 Ottawa, 61350.