Awareness Class Secures $60,000 Grant for All-Inclusive Playground at Lake Salinda

A Community Posting by Awareness Washington County

Digital rendering of the final vision for the project.

The 2025 Class of Awareness Washington County has been awarded a $60,000 grant from the Washington County Community Foundation in order to assist in their class project of installing an all-inclusive playground at Lake Salinda.

The all-inclusive playground is a community-led initiative led by the class and involves repurposing playground equipment from Bradie Shrum Elementary and supplementing that equipment with new, inclusive play structures. The goal is to provide a fully accessible recreational space for children of all abilities in Washington County. The project aims to create a universally accessible play space that fosters belonging, inclusion, and outdoor recreation to serve local families as well as attract visitors from surrounding counties, strengthening local business and reinforcing community pride.

“For the Awareness Washington County 2025 Class, this inclusive playground represents more than a project - it represents our heart. It’s proof that when leaders come together with purpose, we can create spaces where differences are celebrated and every family feels seen in the community we call home.”

While the grant from Washington County Community Foundation is very generous, the Class is seeking additional funding through additional grants, corporate outreach, events, and personal donations in order to purchase the ADA playground equipment and to fully implement the playground. If you are interested in donating to the project, please contact Allison Duff at 812-620-3628.

The servant leaders in the Awareness Washington County class of 2025 include:

Val Ball, Mel Calvin, Uriah Cleek, Jessica Dawson, Allison Duff, Corrina Gilbert, June Green, Stephanie Lashbrooks, Andrea Little, Tabitha McLain, Seth Purlee, Caleb Purkhiser, Rebecca Turner, Danielle Walker, Shelli Wilson, and Owen Wykoff.