Henderson moms receive $100,000 visitors grant for new inclusive playground

​YORK COUNTY – A newly formed group, called Moms on a Mission, in Henderson, has secured a $100,000 York County visitors improvement grant toward a project to be create an inclusive playground in downtown Henderson.

​They met with the York County Commissioners on Tuesday morning, accompanied by York County Visitors Bureau Director Alex Saathoff.
The group told the commissioners they are raising a total of $400,000 for the project, as the Henderson community currently does not have an ADA complaint playground and “we are not able to accommodate children of all abilities at any of the park locations in our town. It will benefit children who use wheelchairs, walks or experience sensory of developmental challenges; children recovering from injuries; toddlers learning balance; grandparents and caregivers; children of all ages and abilities; parents with strollers; adults with mobility limitations; visiting families; future generations.” They also said this new playground will provide facilities for kids two years old and younger, while the current park does not.
They also explained how the location of the current downtown park would benefit from an inclusive playground, as it is a central location which would provide a close proximity to all community members; and the downtown park already has existing restroom facilities, covered picnic space and green space to further encourage community gatherings.
Saathoff told the commissioners how the YCVB board noted other visitor improvement grants (which are funded using local lodging tax receipts) have been given to support other similar quality of life projects – for a pavilion in Gresham, a splash pad in McCool Junction and toward the Peyton Parker Lane Playground in York.
“The YCVB board voted unanimously to recommend $100,000, over the course of two budget years.”
“Thank you for putting this together,” Commissioner Andy Bowman told the Mothers on a Mission group. “Henderson has been growing and this is long overdue in Henderson.”
“It is a quality of life project,” said Commissioner Randy Obermier, who also sits on the YCVB board. “When you see people want to better in their communities, how do you not support that.”
Saathoff said the visitor improvement fund currently has $350,000 in it with about $100,000 in payments scheduled to be used in the future. Obermier said they have been seeing the lodging tax revenue coming in at a steady rate, especially because it is summer.
“Maybe this $100,000 in seed money will help their fundraising,” Obermier said.
“It’s a good project and that’s what the funds are for,” said Commissioner Joe Burgess.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the YCVB grant for the playground project in Henderson.