The Sarasota homebuilder made a $90,000 donation to the accessible playground project at G.T. Bray Park. The project is a public-private partnership spearheaded by the six Rotary Clubs in Manatee County, in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. Neal Communities first learned of the accessible playground project after Mike Storey, President of Neal Communities, met Jennifer Crofoot, whose son uses a wheelchair. “The idea for an accessible playground came up when my mother wanted to take my son and his cousin to a park,” said Crofoot. “However, there were no playgrounds in Manatee County that were wheelchair accessible and all-inclusive for my son and his cousin to play together.” Crofoot later met Storey and presented the idea for the accessible playgrounds with the Rotary Clubs of Manatee County. Neal Communities then donated $90,000 towards the construction of the first playground, to be built at G.T. Bray Park. Once funded and construction begins, the accessible playground will replace the existing play structure at G.T. Bray Park.

“We’re looking at building a total of three accessible, all-inclusive playgrounds in Manatee County,” said Tom Norton, Chairman of the Rotary playground project. “The parks will all be led by the Rotary Clubs of Manatee County and will be located at G.T. Bray Park, Tom Bennett Park and Buffalo Creek Park.” Each playground requires an investment of $600,000 before construction can begin. The Rotary Clubs have raised nearly $200,000 so far to support construction at the first park.

Sponsorships are available by equipment piece, which includes the opportunity to name the equipment. Neal Communities has sponsored the main play structure and a swing set. For more information or to make a donation to the playground project, visit here.

Click here for more information and to make a donation