Project director Bob Francis, far right, observes as Turrentine Construction workers prepare a concrete sub-surface pad for the main playground in the John Mark Stallings Special Needs Accessible Playground Wed., Jan. 21. | Clif Knight

The John Mark Stallings Special Needs Accessible Playground (SNAP) of Morgan County is moving forward in its final construction phase.

Turrentine Construction workers were on the construction site Wednesday pouring and finishing the concrete pad for the  “Ramp ‘n Play” main playground.

SNAP director Bob Francis said Morgan County Commission District 3 donated workers, equipment and materials for site preparation.

“Commissioner Don Stisher and his employees graded the site, installed playground equipment anchors, back filled with gravel and took care of the drainage,” Francis pointed out. “This assistance enabled us to stretch our funds and move forward with construction of the final phase.”

“When the concrete pad dries, we’ll come back in and prepare the anchors for equipment installation,” he added.  “We plan to train volunteers with the help of the equipment supplier and use them to assemble and install the equipment.

Francis said a $100,000 matching grant is being sought to complete construction, which will include a two-inch rubberized surface.

“Approval of the grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is pending,” he said. “When approval is granted, the city will advertise for bids and award separate contracts for the equipment and the rubberized surface.”

The city’s share of the grant will be $50,000 and SNAP will supplement that amount, Francis said.

The main playground will feature several interactive play stations. They include elevated sand piles complete with backhoe, a large elevated play station with slides, a tennis table and a seesaw. Two large, colorful umbrellas will provide shade as well as eye appeal.

The target date for completion is mid-summer.