It’s been three years in the making, but for volunteer and co-chair of the Parks Committee, Kim Wikdahl, the wait is finally over, and well worth it.
The installation of Portage la Prairie’s first wheelchair-accessible swing began today in Island Park, marking a major milestone in the push to create more inclusive spaces for local families and visitors alike. The new swing is being installed right next to the existing playground equipment, allowing children of all abilities to play side by side.
“It’s very exciting,” says Wikdahl, beaming. “I’m so happy that it's starting and the dream has finally become a reality. The people of Portage and surrounding communities will finally be able to use it.”
The swing, which features a platform for wheelchairs on one side and a bench on the other, has been part of Wikdahl’s vision since 2022. Inspired by a local family’s daily struggles to access playground equipment, she first took the idea to the city and began fundraising soon after.
What started as a solo project soon grew into a team effort. Wikdahl began working with the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC) and later joined the city’s Parks Committee to help move things forward. Local businesses and community members also donated, which helped push the project over the finish line.
While the idea was simple, bringing it to life proved to be a long and challenging road.
“It ended up being a little more expensive than we expected. With rising prices over the past few years, we couldn’t hold the original cost. But the community stepped up, and through hard work and continued fundraising, we got there,” she explains.
But if you think Wikdahl is ready to take a break, think again.
“We’re not done yet. I’d still love to see a wheelchair-accessible Merry-Go-Round installed. We'll continue fundraising, and hopefully that will be the next project to go in," she adds.
Donations for the next phase of the accessible playground can still be made at KKWIK Automotive or City Hall, and e-transfers are also accepted at payments@city-plap.com. Be sure to specify that the donation is for the Accessible Playground Equipment.
As for what’s next, Wikdahl encourages folks to keep an eye on the Accessible Playground Equipment's Facebook page for updates.
In the meantime, she’s proud to see years of hard work and determination take shape as a space where kids and adults of all abilities can finally play together.
“Everybody deserves the chance to swing, and now they can.”
While the swing is now in place, it’s not quite ready for play just yet, as a bit of final work is still needed to complete the structure. An official ribbon-cutting and celebration will be announced soon.
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