Wendy Cockrell, with her daughter Rachel in front of the Brava Swing
The new accessible swing area is now open in Wabasha at the Athletic Complex, with Wabasha’s first ever wheelchair friendly surface and four different types of swings to meet a variety of sensory needs and motor skills! Swinging can calm individuals with sensory needs and was the perfect addition. One of the swings installed, a Brava Universal Swing, allows children and adults of all ages to swing together or individually in a completely new way- by using arms, core, or legs.
This project idea was a result of a 2023 Blandin Changemaker Retreat, led by Mayor Emily Durand and facilitated by the University of Minnesota Extension. Wendy Cockrell participated in the retreat and envisioned a new playground area that people like her daughter, Rachel, who is wheelchair bound could use. Thanks to donations from WNB Financial, Clearway Solar, and Blandin, the City was able to fund this new amenity in our athletic park and include a rubberized surface.
“ I just love this new surface,” said community member Wendy Cockrell, “It just so easy to use it in a wheelchair.”
Mayor Durand agreed, “ Thanks to generous partners and donors, I am so excited we could create this new amenity that makes our park areas more accessible for all.”
Thank you Tony Johnson, Riley Costello for your leadership to make this project possible.
To Tyler Grabau, our Finance Director thank you for managing all the grants to make this possible. To our donors, and the members of our Parks Board (Michael Anderson, Sharon Burke, MJ Bussian, Bill Kay, Linda Odden), thank you for bringing this vision to life.
Susan Payla Aaron Westberg
Marie Perry and Everett Perry on new swing
Walker Shanks and Everett Perry
Wendy Cockrell, with her daughter Rachel in front of the Brava Swing
Christina Payla and Bella Iverson (DSP/Job Coach)
