Visiting a Butler County handicapped accessible playground and reading the testimonials of disabled kids and their parents convinced Norm Cleva that Monroeville needs a similar facility.  "I think there's a need for it everywhere," said Cleva, president of Monroeville's Rotary Club.  Monroeville Council unanimously passed a resolution Sept. 12th that lets the Rotary seek a $300,000 state grant to help pay for the $1.2 million project.

Beyond helping the civic group with grant applications, the municipality's involvement is limited to setting aside two acres at the new community park for the playground and bidding out the contracts once the Rotary Club has raised the money...Cleva said the playground would be open to children from all communities.  The Butler County playground draws from a wide area.  "People are coming three to four hours away to use the playground because there's nothing like it around," Cleva said.

Sam Lang, chairman of the Rotary committee spearheading the Monroeville project, said that the park will be twice the size of the one in Butler and will have all the usual playground equipment including swings, slides and monkey bars.  "We're hoping to have it completed in two years, but it could extend to three," he said.  The main factor is how long it will take to raise the $1.2 million from government grants, private foundations, corporations and individuals, he said.  The committee has produced a brochure explaining the project and is setting up a web site at www.playgroundforall.com.  The playground would have three sections --one for children 2 to 5 years old; one for children 5 to 12 years old; and one for children 12 years and older.

Cleva said about $500,000 will go toward equipment and another $200,000 for a rubbery surface that reduces the chance of children being hurt.

"Probably the biggest difference and where the costs really come into play is that it has ramps," he said.  The setup would allow a child in a wheelchair to park the chair, pull himself out and use the monkey bars and get back into the chair on his own.  Cleva said, The park will also include signs in braille.  With the council behind the project, the Rotary Club's next step is to look for more funding sources.  "We'll be doing some fundraising events in the near future."