Arcata Park Gets $15,000 for New Playground Equipment

Greenview Park [Photo provided by the City of Arcata]

Greenview Park [Photo provided by the City of Arcata]

Press Release from the City of Arcata:

Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) and national non-profit KaBOOM! awarded the City of Arcata a $15,000 Let’s Play Community Construction Grant that will be used to install playground equipment at the Greenview Park Playground, the first inclusive playground in Humboldt County.

The grant is part of Let’s Play, an initiative by DPS to provide kids and families with the tools, places and inspiration to make active play a daily priority. Unstructured, child-directed play has proven to help kids develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually, yet today’s kids have less time and fewer opportunities to play than any previous generation. As a result of expanded Let’s Play grants and projects, more than 1 million kids will benefit from new or improved playgrounds around the nation by the end of 2016.

“The City of Arcata is extremely lucky to be working with a dedicated group to help us realize the goal of creating an all-inclusive playground for our community,” said Julie Neander, Arcata Environmental Services Deputy Director. “We could not do this without the dedication and hard work of the Greenview Playground Committee and the many individuals and businesses that have donated to this project.”

“It broke my heart to think that just because a child was in a wheelchair or had some challenges in playing on conventional playground equipment they would be left out of the playground experience with their peers,” said Daniel Bixler, local small business owner, home owner, father of two young children and founder of the Greenview Playground Project. “So once I was made aware there was no inclusive playground in all of Northern California from Oakland to Medford, Oregon, I knew something had to be done immediately!”

The Greenview Playground Committee was started in 2015 when parents, children, businesses, educators and interested individuals teamed up with the City of Arcata to create the first inclusive playground in Humboldt County. The Committee’s mission is to give all children the opportunity to play together and form friendships and help our community become more accepting and inclusive of people with disabilities. The KaBOOM! funds will be used to help pay for the central playground piece that includes a slide and climbing opportunities.

DPS launched Let’s Play in 2011 with a $15 million commitment to KaBOOM! to build or improve 2,000 playgrounds. In 2014, Dr Pepper Snapple and KaBOOM! extended their partnership through 2016 with an additional $10 million commitment from DPS to continue providing kids with the active play they need.

Visit Let’s Play at www.LetsPlay.com to join the conversation and learn how to apply for the various available grants to make communities more active and playful.
About the City of Arcata
The City of Arcata owns and operates neighborhood, community and special use parks for the benefit of its residents, businesses and visitors.

About Let’s Play
Let’s Play is an initiative launched in 2011 by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to provide the tools, places and inspiration to make play a daily priority. By 2017, DPS will provide nearly 10 million children across North America with new opportunities to play and be active through Let’s Play. In partnership with the nonprofit organizations KaBOOM! and Good Sports, Let’s Play is working to eliminate the ‘play deficit’ by building and improving play spaces and providing grants for athletic equipment and gear. For more information, please visit LetsPlay.com or Facebook.com/LetsPlay.

About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) is a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 13 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 or No. 2 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Mott’s, Mr & Mrs T mixers, Peñafiel, Rose’s, Schweppes, Squirt and Sunkist soda. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit www.DrPepperSnapple.com. For our latest news and updates, follow us at www.Facebook.com/DrPepperSnapple or www.Twitter.com/DrPepperSnapple.

About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open, or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers, and served 8.1 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters and why cities are embracing #playability: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.
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8 Comments
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G-ma
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G-ma
7 years ago

Kudo’s to the donors for this awsome project.its a.very nice thing you have done!!!thank you

Henchman Of Justice
Guest
Henchman Of Justice
7 years ago
Reply to  G-ma

Actually, the thanks goes to the consumers really.

Why?

It is faux philanthropy…..ya see, is it really a from the heart, from their own wallets scenario to donate their consumers’ money attained through price gouging tactics…..no, not really.

It is like a furniture business that advertizes “buy this, and a donation of $100 goes to your charity of choice.” You pay an extra hundow so the business can take credit under the guise, illusion of philanthropy…….and people say tax breaks are bad.

Take that to the bank!

Forgot, non profit status is a hoax….labor is covered too under “reimbursed expenses”…..oh, want more pay, a raise (filtered profits through tax form, financial form line item laundering)….just increase the reimbursed expenditure….see how that shit works???

Tailgate
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Tailgate
7 years ago

What do you do in your spare time?

G-ma
Guest
G-ma
7 years ago

Honey,are you unhappy.im sorry you seem so sad.to hoj

Lost Croat Outburst
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Lost Croat Outburst
7 years ago

Corporate America and the 0ne Percenters have earned plenty of enmity and deserve close scrutiny. If a donated playground is a PR ploy by corporations then I Will still take it. I don’t think much of religion, but I respect and laud those who do good things for religious reasons. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. I Especially like accessibilty for disabled.

Roy
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Roy
7 years ago

Well, at least they’re not the ones pumping refined sugar into our children. Oh, wait…

Honeydew Bridge Chump
Guest
Honeydew Bridge Chump
7 years ago

Playgrounds are great for children.

This one will be a corporate billboard and I thought that was unArcata like?

My guess is they are going to try a hippy scam and repaint it once it’s up.

Least children will have some cool things to play on and we can hope it won’t turn into a bum ground .

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
7 years ago

You think Arcatans would tolerate a garish, obtrusive billboard? Really? A mellow, modest plaque would be fine. See, we’re trying to reduce hate in the world. Have a wonderful day, maybe grab a few beers with HOJ. Wait, maybe not.