“This state-of-the-art playground allows us to enhance a child’s learning experience and offers a safe, attractive public place for families and caregivers. It will transform the way our community will come together to thrive and interact through the power of play,” said Corinna Ladd, PNC regional president for northern Indiana.
FORT WAYNE, IN, June 29, 2017 – Fort Wayne’s riverfront Promenade Park will soon be home to the PNC Playground, a colorful and stimulating new play area designed just for kids. Plans for the first Riverfront Fort Wayne playground were announced today by the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department during the groundbreaking ceremony for Promenade Park. The construction of the park begins phase one of a $26 million Fort Wayne Riverfront Development Project (www.riverfrontfw.org).
Funding for the new playground was made possible by a $250,000 grant from the PNC Foundation.
The 4,500 square foot PNC Playground will be built on the north bank of the St. Marys River between Harrison Street and the Wells Street Bridge. Construction of the playground is scheduled to begin next month, with plans to open by spring 2019.
“This leadership gift from PNC will help us significantly enhance the downtown experience,” said Al Moll, director of Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department. “The unique play area will offer children of all abilities and ages a chance to interact in the outdoors. The PNC Playground is an important family friendly addition to our world-class Riverfront Development Project.”
The Power of Play
The community development initiative will serve as Promenade Park’s only playground and complement PNC Grow Up Great, the company’s early education program for children birth to age 5.
“This state-of-the-art playground allows us to enhance a child’s learning experience and offers a safe, attractive public place for families and caregivers. It will transform the way our community will come together to thrive and interact through the power of play,” said Corinna Ladd, PNC regional president for northern Indiana.
Geared to encourage sensory stimulation, motor development and social interaction, the playground will feature slides and ropes that will extend from the play area up to the Tree Canopy Trail. Indiana-based Countryside Play Structures and Landscape Structures, known for designing playgrounds worldwide, will create an area aimed to energize sensory experiences with Rhapsody® Outdoor Instruments and visually vibrant modular and climbing structures with Mobius Climbers and Global Motion®.
The play area will be fully accessible space for all children with specialty equipment beyond ADA standards designed to accommodate physical disabilities. Ample seating and other vibrant features of the new play space aim to encourage families to linger, learn and enjoy the riverfront experience. The dynamic mix of unique play structures will also serve as attractive public art.
New Riverfront, Economic Boost
According to Greater Fort Wayne Inc., the Riverfront Development project is one of five key projects over the next 10 years aimed to increase Fort Wayne’s population growth rate to 2.1 percent by 2030 and raise GDP from $30 billion to $60 billion by 2031.
The Fort Wayne Riverfront Development will expand in focus on three areas of engagement for visitors: arts and culture, nature and recreation. Other components of Promenade Park will include a promenade, park pavilion, event lawn, urban streetscape, elevated boardwalk and other attractions.
The Fort Wayne Park Foundation (www.fortwayneparks.org) was founded in 1973 as the charity of record for the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department (created in 1905 by the Indiana State Legislature and continues to be a branch of City government). Both organizations have worked together to preserve green spaces, create a lasting legacy for the citizens of Fort Wayne and Allen County, and providing free and affordable leisure opportunities for all ages.
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $350 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. For more information, visit http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com and follow PNC News on YouTube here.
CONTACT:
Maria Pasic
(312) 384-4640 office
(312) 342-1565 cell
maria.pasic@pnc.com
