MITCHELL — Community members can help bring a new, inclusive playground to Mitchell by participating in the upcoming Race to Play 5K, a fundraiser benefiting the Mitchell Playground Project.
Organized in support of Mitchell Parks & Recreation’s effort to create a playground where children of all abilities can play together, the event welcomes both runners and walkers. The race begins at 10 a.m., giving participants an opportunity to support a community project while enjoying time outdoors.
Registration costs $25 and includes a race T-shirt. Participants must register by October 28 to secure a shirt. The design will be added to the registration website soon.
Those who want to support the project without participating in the race can also contribute. Registration options include signing up for the 5K, registering and making an additional donation, or donating directly to the playground campaign.
“The support for this project would mean a lot to us,” said Mitchell Parks and Recreation Board Member JJ Goldsberry. “Just seeing our community coming together and having fun in a way that is helping raise funds to put us even closer to our goal of bringing this playground to fruition.”
The Mitchell Playground Project aims to create an inclusive play space designed to welcome children with a variety of physical, sensory and developmental needs. Traditional playgrounds can present challenges for some children, from equipment that is difficult to access to surfaces that limit mobility.
An inclusive playground would help remove those barriers and give children of different abilities the opportunity to play side by side. Beyond accessibility, the project emphasizes the importance of providing a shared community space where children can build friendships, develop social skills and learn cooperation and understanding through play.
Playgrounds provide important opportunities for physical activity, creativity and emotional growth. By making play more accessible, Mitchell hopes to create a welcoming environment for children and families throughout the community.
Every registration and donation brings the project closer to its goal of building a playground that can serve Mitchell families for years to come.
Community members can register for the Race to Play 5K or make a donation online at runsignup.com/Race/IN/Mitchell/RaceToPlay5KMitchell.
Whether running, walking or donating, residents can help Mitchell take another step toward creating a place where every child has the opportunity to play.
