HONDA CLASSIC DONATES $10,000 TOWARD PARK FOR EVERYONE
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – The Honda Classic has donated $10,000 toward the planned construction of a Boundless Playground at PGA National Park which will cater to people of all abilities and include ramps for wheelchairs and easy entry and exit.
The boundless park will cost about $100,000. The cost will be paid by a combination of city funds and state grants and the donation from the Honda Classic, which will be permanently listed as a benefactor of the park. Construction is expected to start next year.
“The new park will allow children with disabilities to access the playground and use the different equipment,” Honda Classic Executive Director Kenneth R. Kennerly said. “We are proud that we were able to make a contribution to this project. It is part of our overall mission to make life better for all kids in our community. Participation in this project in addition to other programs like bringing golf to schools through the First Tee National Schools Program are a big part of that.”
PGA National Park will be the first boundless park in northern Palm Beach County. Another boundless park, which allow children in wheelchairs to play on 70% of the equipment as opposed to the 50% required by the American with Disabilities Act, was built in 2003 at John Prince Park in West Palm Beach. Picower Park, on the north shore of Lake Osborne, has play areas for children with and without disabilities and a playhouse with a special slip-proof floor and a stage for children to perform. Most boundless parks also utilize above-ground play elements such as a sand box.
“More than 1 in every 10 kids in the United States has a disability,” Kennerly said. “That’s why it is important that we consider projects such as this when we are determining how we will distribute the charity dollars from the tournament. Now Palm Beach Gardens will have one of the most accessible parks in the county.”
The Honda Classic, Palm Beach County’s largest sporting event, awarded more than $505,000 to area children’s charities in 2007, allowing the tournament to surpass the $14 million mark in charitable contributions during American Honda’s 26-year tenure as title sponsor.
The 2008 Honda Classic golf tournament will be played February 25-March 2.