(Greensburg, IN) – Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) awarded the Placemaking Award to the Building Bridges Inclusion Park.
The park, located in Greensburg, is known for its universal design and sensory-rich environment, allows children of all abilities and ages to engage, play, and grow through the science of play.
The Building Bridges Inclusion Park (BBIP), located in Rebekah Park, offers an inclusive playscape where children of all intellectual and physical abilities can interact and enjoy playtime together. Research shows that play is crucial in developing essential skills, such as social and cognitive abilities.
A space like BBIP provides a safe and unique environment where children can learn, grow, and form connections within the community.
“It’s incredible to see the number of families visiting the park and how engaged everyone is with the children playing,” said Officer Brendan Bridges, the project’s original sponsor and lead. “We’ve even seen schools from outside our community visit the inclusion park. It’s heartening to know that the playground is bringing in families from across the region and demonstrating that all kids, regardless of ability, can play together.”
Funding for the park was raised through a Patronicity matching grant campaign with CreatINg Spaces, a program from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.
Additional support came from the City of Greensburg, the Greensburg Redevelopment Commission, Decatur County, First Financial Bank, the Leona Hahn Charitable Trust, CenterPoint Energy, the Decatur County Community Foundation, Disability and Autism Services of Indiana (DASI), the Greensburg Optimist Club, and the Greensburg Rotary Club.
In addition to private donations and grant funds, numerous, generous local donors also contributed to the fundraising for the completion of the park.
The Building Bridges Inclusion Park was also included in the Accelerate Rural Indiana (ARI) Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) project list, securing $250,000 in funding.
READI, launched in 2021 with $500 million in state appropriations, promotes strategic investments to enhance Indiana’s appeal for talent and economic growth. ARI received $20 million, the highest per capita READI award in the state.
Completed years ahead of schedule, the park officially opened in the fall of 2023. Since its opening, an estimated 15,000 families, visitors, and schoolchildren have enjoyed the park.
“The inclusion park has been a passion project for Officer Bridges for years,” said Greensburg Mayor Joshua Marsh. “Building this park from the ground up was no small task, but the City of Greensburg and our residents are proud to support such a valuable addition to our community. The park is always bustling with activity, and it’s wonderful to see our children and families interacting with people of all abilities.”
(City of Greensburg press release)
