08.a2 Request to Lions - Playground
Scandia-Marine Lions Club Request for Contribution
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Dear Contribution Requestor,
Please complete the upper portion of the Contribution Request Form and return it to the Contribution
Request Committee (CRC) Chair or to a member of the Scandia-Marine Lions Club who can present the
request on your behalf. For a downloadable copy of the request form, please visit:
http://www.scandiamarinelions.org/community-giving/
The request will be considered at the next CRC meeting (consult the Scandia-Marine Lions Club website
for dates). If it meets CRC criteria, it will be passed to the Scandia-Marine Lions Club Board. If approved
by the Board, it will move on to our Membership for final approval. Listed below is our Mission
Statement and the ways in which Lions serve.
Mission Statement
To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and
promote international understanding through Lions Clubs.
How We Serve
Sight Programs
We want everyone to see a better tomorrow. That's why we support sight programs and services
including vision screenings, eye banks and eyeglass recycling; provide eye care services to those at
risk of losing their sight and raise donations through campaigns like SightFirst and Campaign
SightFirst II.
Health Programs
We believe everyone deserves a healthy life. From providing health programs that focus
on hearing loss to supporting efforts to control and prevent diabetes, Lions volunteers are working to
improve the health of children and adults around the world.
Youth Volunteer Opportunities
We empower the next generation. Whether it's providing youth volunteer opportunities and
leadership experiences in a Leo club or sharing a message of peace through our Peace Poster contest,
our youth programs invest in the future by reaching out to young people.
Community and Environment Programs
We serve local communities – and protect the planet. From performing hands-on community work
and service projects to providing emergency assistance, our community and environment programs
improve our communities – and protect the environment.
Disaster Relief We are among the first to respond when disaster strikes. Our Disaster Preparedness
and Relief Programs enable Lions to help local communities – and contribute to Lions relief efforts in
other countries – in the event of a natural, man-made, or healthcare emergency
Please note: The CRC meets the first Thursday of each month. To be considered at the next CRC meeting, requests
must be received five days prior to the Thursday meeting. Requests received after that date will be considered at the
next scheduled meeting.
Scandia-Marine Lions Club Request for Contribution
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Project: New Playground for the Scandia Community Center
Requested by: Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee, City of Scandia
Address: 14727 209th St. N. Scandia, MN 55073
City: Scandia State: MN ZIP Code: 55073
Submitted by Lion: Terry Gorham Amount Requested: $10,000
How does this request support LCI’s mission and vision? (Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary.)
Attached
List other funding sources for this organization or project: Please see the explanation in the “Note:”
below.
Approximate number of people served or benefited by this donation: 4000-6000 (see explanation
below)
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Approvals (To be completed by CRC Chairperson.)
CRC BOARD CLUB
Motion by: ___ Motion by: ___ Motion by: ______
Seconded by: ___________ Seconded by: ___________ Seconded by: _____________
Votes For: ______________ Votes For: ______________ Votes For: ________________
Votes Against: ___________ Votes Against: ___________ Votes Against: ____________
Approved: __ Rejected: ___ Approved: __ Rejected: ___ Approved: ___ Rejected: ____
Date: ___ Date: Date: ____
______________________________________________________________________________
Account to be paid from: Admin _____ Contributions _____ Gaming _____ Other_____
______________________________________________________________________________
Signed by CRC Chair: Date:
Signed by President: Date:
Date delivered to treasurer:
Make check payable to:
Check number: Date issued: Issued by:
Please mail your request to Scandia-Marine Lions Club CRC, P.O. Box 151, Scandia, MN 55073 or
e-mail scandiamarinelionsclub@gmail.com
Note: The city has allocated $95,000 towards the project. In turn, they are
requesting a 1-1 match from the DNR to meet the planned costs of the project. A
contribution from the Lions will allow for a greater matching request, i.e., a $10,000
contribution from the Lions would drive a $105,000 request from the DNR. The Lions
donation of $10,000 is equal to $20,000 if the city is awarded the DNR Grant'.
Though the plans are largely complete, this additional funding would allow for
additional ADA-compliant play structures, improved adjacent picnic areas with
additional picnic tables and shade structures, and access to nearby proposed
connecting trails
This request is for a resource that will benefit the community with a modern, ADA-
accessible playground that will encourage children and their caregivers to be active
and healthy. Healthy and active kids develop a mindset to prioritize physical wellness
as adults. Obesity and excess weight are well-documented risks for developing Type 2
diabetes. Providing opportunities for kids to engage in active play will likely decrease
their risk for obesity and excess weight not only in childhood but may extend into
adulthood as well. In addition, multi-generational play spaces, such as playgrounds,
will encourage their caregivers to engage in active play as well.
A playground is a gathering place for families. It encourages social and community
involvement, a sense of community, and enhances the livability of Scandia. The
current playground is reaching its end-of-life use, with many components outdated,
unattractive, and not in adherence with modern playground equipment code standards.
For example:
• The current playground area is designated by metal landscape edging that
extends approximately 10” above the ground. There is currently not an
entrance area for wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility support devices.
• The current playground surface is sand, which is incompatible with mobility
support devices, walkers, or crutches.
• The current swings at the playground are approximately 12-feet high, which is
outside current of industry playground standards. Having such a high swing
system is a risk for greater injury due to fall height and requires a large space
around the structure for safety. The current swing system does not include any
ADA-accessible swings. Updating the swing play structure to include ADA
features will provide a more inclusive play experience and will reduce the
wasted space currently needed for the high swing bays.
This has everyday implications to members of the community and our many visitors.
For example:
• A child in a wheelchair sitting outside the sandy playground area is unable to
join his or her friends as they play on the equipment.
• Grandparents who bring their grandchild to the playground, but who - because
they use a walker or cane - can't stand or sit near where the child is playing or
even join them on the swings because of the unstable sandy surface.
The new playground will be ADA-compliant, meeting the needs of those with
disabilities. At a minimum, the current playground structure will include:
• Poured rubber surfacing at select areas to allow entrance into the playground
structure and provide access to select play features.
• Two ADA-accessible swings.
• ADA rated stairs (2’rise and 4’ span) and hand-rails on play structures.
The new ADA playground surfacing, ADA-compliant transfer stations and ADA
playground entrance will ensure high-quality and safe recreation upon completion of
the project. If funding permits, the project may include a perimeter walking trail and
picnic area to allow for individuals with disabilities the opportunity to gather in the
park space and enjoy the use of the playground structures. The access to the
playground from the sidewalk will be zero entry directly onto the poured -in-place
rubber surfacing which leads to selected play features. The remaining play areas will
be accessible with the engineered wood fiber, which is also certified as ADA
compliant. A conceptual playground layout is enclosed, along with an equipment
inventory list.
In addition, there are several playground components selected to introduce sensory
and creative play, including:
• Small playhouse with featured “Community Helpers” graphics.
• Textured sensory panels
• Adult-child facing “generation” swing.
The closest ADA compliant playground is 8 miles away at Big Marine, the other is 10
miles away in Osceola. The Minnesota State Demographic Center indicates the 2019
population (most recent published data) of Scandia is 4,054 persons, with 1,531
households (Minnesota State Demographic Center, 2022). However, several seasonal
events in Scandia attract neighboring community residents, as well as families from
all over the Twin Cities Metro Area (TCMA), including Taco Daze, Vinterfest, the
Fat Cat Triathlon, the Scandia Farmers Market, and various Gammelgarden events.
Based on average attendance at these events, it is estimated that 4,000 to 6,000
children, along with their families and/or caregivers, will visit and enjoy this
playground on an annual basis.
The Community Center playground will stand out from other area playgrounds in that:
• It is owned by the City of Scandia, and therefore, its residents and businesses.
The City of Scandia has performed public engagement initiatives for this
project, including a community survey and development of a committee
specific to this playground equipment upgrade. These initiatives were
undertaken to ensure the features selected meet the needs and desires of
Scandia residents.
• The selected equipment will include modern features and amenities.
• It is located at the Community Center, with a large parking lot and restroom
access (including an ADA-accessible portable restroom), and will provide
supplemental entertainment at Community Center located events, such as Taco
Daze and Vinterfest and the Farmers Market
• The play features were specifically selected to appeal to children ages ranging
from toddlers up to 12-years old. In addition, it is adjacent to a tennis court
currently used for playing pickleball, so it encourages multi-generational
activities in close proximity. Future plans, if funding permits, will include a
perimeter walking trail and adult fitness components, such as a designated
outdoor yoga area.
Here is a drawing of the proposed playground.
This view from above shows detail of accessibility
Parking Lot
Tennis Courts
This shows the location of the playground, adjacent to the parking lot and
tennis courts, with ADA-accessible approaches to the area.