City of Talladega Blog

(Talladega, AL) Talladega Clay Randolph Childcare Corporation (TCR) has committed $75,000 to the City of Talladega to help build the community’s first inclusive, fully-accessible ADA public playground.

“TCR is honored to be involved in helping to provide an inclusive playground for the City of Talladega and extremely excited about the opportunity this will bring to the families of Talladega,” said Director of Operations Teresa Jackson, who announced TCR’s support for the project during a Talladega City Council meeting on April 8, 2024.

In December 2023, a team from T-Mobile came to Talladega to present the city with a prestigious $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant to help fund the playground. TCR’s contribution brings the city much closer to its goal of developing a well-designed, inclusive and fully-accessible ADA playground in Veterans Memorial Park.

“We are thrilled that TCR Childcare Corporation has stepped forward to make such a generous contribution toward the playground,” said Interim City Manager Danny Warwick. “TCR clearly values children in our community and understands the positive impact the new playground will have.”

“Unity Playground will help children of all abilities to develop socially, emotionally and physically - including those who are blind, deaf or deaf/blind; those with diverse health conditions; and those who use wheelchairs,” said Public Information Officer Mary Sood.

Talladega resident Edna Richardson is excited about having a playground that her daughter can enjoy.

“Stacie is a long term cancer survivor.  She had leukemia at two, and she also had colon and kidney cancer. Regardless of that, she loves to play, and play is crucial to her development socially and emotionally,” said Richardson. “Unfortunately, at most parks, the equipment is not developed for children with special needs.  Most parks are not geared for Stacie. The equipment is too high or simply unsafe for her. To have a playground in our community that she can actually use will be wonderful.”

Margaret Chandler agrees. “My daughter was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair for mobility. She would absolutely love an accessible park. Any parks that we have been to have been so limited in accessibility that it was a trip wasted,” Chandler said.

Unity Playground will also benefit children who do not require an ADA compliant environment as they may have parents, guardians, siblings or friends who are blind, deaf or deaf/blind; have diverse health conditions; or use wheelchairs.

Input from diverse organizations invested in the well-being of children and families, including experts from Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Talladega Clay Randolph Childcare Corporation, and the Arc of North Talladega County are assisting with design of the park and equipment selection.

The playground will include signs in braille, color distinction for those with low vision, and playground equipment that is specially designed for inclusivity as well as accessibility.

Individuals and organizations interested in contributing to the construction of Unity Park may contact Mary Sood at msood@talladega.com.

PHOTO: Councilwoman Vickey R. Hall, Councilman Steve Dickerson, Councilman Trae Williams, TCR Director of Operations Teresa Jackson, Councilman Hugh Sims, Councilwoman Betty C. Spratlin, Interim City Manager Danny Warwick and Mayor Ashton Hall