Tom Bennett Park | 280 Kay Rd, Bradenton, FL 34208
WORDS & PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst
It was an exciting morning at Tom Bennett Park for the much-anticipated ribbon cutting and grand opening for the fully ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant Bradenton Kiwanis Playground located at 280 Kay Road in Manatee County.
In 2022, the Kiwanis Club celebrated its 100th anniversary. To celebrate the huge milestone, the then-incoming president, Neil Unruh, wanted to do a special legacy project that would last for many years to come.
“After looking around at different opportunities, we decided to build a playground that is accessible and all-inclusive,” said Unruh. “The county suggested Tom Bennett Park, and after seeing the equipment that was here and that it was ready to be replaced, we decided this would be a perfect location. Our ideas, along with the county, worked well together, and just a few months ago, we broke ground, and here we are today. This park is for everyone! All kids, all adults, of all abilities.
Just a few of the features include ramp accessibility onto the playground structures, climbing nets, slides, a climbing wall, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, built-in sensory and cognitive activities, zip lines with accessibility seats, shade covers, synthetic turf ground, and this is just the beginning with more to come.
Kiwanis motto… changing our community one child at a time.
Lewis Park | 3120 1st Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
A new playground also awaits at Lewis Park. With the collaborative efforts of Rotary’s Suncoast Playground Projects, Inc., Manatee River Rotary, The Rotary Club of Bradenton, and the City of Bradenton, children of all ages and abilities in our community have an ADA compliant space where they can play.
The project was inspired by Nancy Griffith, who approached Rotary Clubs of Manatee County, seeking a place for her grandson, Easton, who uses a wheelchair to play. NEXTGEN Family Magazine first met Nancy and Easton in 2020 when writing a story on the now new playground and the efforts to get it going.
The official go-ahead was received in July 2022, when Bradenton City Council approved Mayor Gene Brown’s recommendation to move forward as a partner in the project.
