INDIANAPOLIS – Evansville children of all ages and abilities will soon be able to enjoy a new inclusive playground along the Ohio River, thanks to a recently launched crowdfunding campaign. The campaign is sponsored by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and offered through the crowdfunding platform developed by Patronicity. The campaign is led by the Evansville Parks Foundation, in partnership with the City of Evansville.
“We are pleased to come alongside and support several local organizations who together are working to make this project a reality in Evansville,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. “I can think of no better way to bring families together along the beautiful Ohio River than a playground designed for all abilities.”
If the campaign reaches its $50,000 goal by July 22, 2018, ‘Mickey’s Kingdom’ will receive a matching grant of $50,000 from IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.
Click here for project details and to donate.
The funding raised during this campaign will allow the City of Evansville to finish fundraising to replace the popular Kids Kingdom playground. In addition to new equipment, the new playground will be more than double its size.
After it was announced that Kids Kingdom would have to be taken down to make room for a new sewer project, a team of committed community leaders came together to plan and fundraise for Mickey’s Kingdom, named for the daughter of a local Police Sergeant. The new playground will be located along the riverfront at Sunset Park, and will feature a number of interactive play spaces, including a pirate ship and magic castle.
“The number of community leaders and citizens who have come forward to make this project a reality, is simply amazing,” said Brian Holtz, Executive Director of the Evansville Department of Parks & Recreation. “This is a perfect example of the private-public partnership that has made our community a leader. When we see a need, the community works together to accomplish the goal. This project will be a wonderful addition to the riverfront area and will serve the needs of the larger community for years to come.”
Since the CreatINg Places program began last fall, projects have raised in excess of $1,330,000 in public funds and an additional $1,100,000 in matching IHCDA funds.
The CreatINg Places program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.
Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should they successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.
