Special playground provides fun for all

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
A team effort involving school, government and business leaders has resulted in the creation of a special needs accessible playground at Sparkman School.
The project was initiated in November 2007 with the help of Virginia Abercrombie, a fill-in guidance counselor. The following spring a $15,000 state grant was acquired with the help of State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur. He followed that up by helping the school get a $40,000 grant last spring. In the meantime, District 2 Commissioner Ken Livingston and his crew graded and drained the playground site, Corum Building Supply donated lumber and Wiregrass construction donated pea gravel for the swing area. Shrubbery for landscaping was provided by another school grant.
That’s when Orr stepped in to help.
The playground is making a big difference in the lives of the approximately 60 special needs children who attend Sparkman School, according to Dana Sides, special education teacher.