Opening date set for all-accessible playground

After almost five years of planning, delays, fundraising and construction, Melaina's Magical Playland will open Sept. 27.

The playground at Cape County Park North was inspired by Jeff and Andrea Cunningham's daughter Melaina Cunningham, who was born with nemaline myopathy, a neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakness, and it was designed for people with all levels of physical ability. The same year planning and fundraising efforts for the playground began in 2009, Melaina Cunningham died because of complications of her disease.

The nearest all-accessible playground before the construction of Melaina's Magical Playland was near St. Louis, Andrea Cunningham said. People should be able to decide on a whim to visit a playground, not have to make a whole day out of it, she said.

"We didn't really understand the need until we were in that position," Andrea Cunningham said. "You don't

really think about those things unless it directly affects you."

Melaina's Magical Playland is not only for disabled children, she said, but it allows children and adults to play with their family and peers instead of having to play on a separate playground.

"It's one specific, special location for everyone," she said.

The playground has a castle theme and extras such as a retaining wall with ramps that allow access to its highest levels, swings with arm and back support, flat rubber surfacing and safety fencing.

Tom Kiefner, president of Kiefner Brothers Inc., said the company was proud to have played a significant role in making the playground happen.

"We're delighted that it is coming to fruition," he said.

Kiefner said the company was involved in the playground's construction from developing the site and building most of the infrastructure, down to the last three days when workers made concrete steps and built retaining walls.

Kiefner plans to attend the opening of Melaina's Magical Playland and said he looks forward to seeing children play there, which will "bring closure to the whole process."

Andrea Cunningham hopes the playland will create a ripple effect, inspiring other playgrounds to renovate and become more accessible to visitors.

"We were just happy that we could be a part of bringing something like this to our community," Andrea Cunningham said.

The road to the ribbon-cutting of Melaina's Magical Playland was bumpy at times.

In April 2012, there was a disagreement over who bore the responsibility of two park shelters that were demolished for the construction of the playland, the county or the playground founders, and in July 2012, the playland was vandalized, and slides, construction materials, safety panels and musical chimes were damaged.

The project has cost close to $1.2 million, Andrea Cunningham said, and donations were received from civic groups, the city of Cape Girardeau, the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau and Cape Girardeau County, as well as from individuals and businesses. Two grants from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources also helped fund the project.

Even though the playland is opening, Andrea Cunningham said she doesn't see it as a finished project. She expects there will be some aspects of the playground that need to be tweaked, and they may come back to previous ideas of adding a splash pad and sensory garden to the location.

"I envision it as something that will continue to be improved upon," she said.

A Cardinals versus Cubs benefit baseball game is planned for Sept. 28 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, and pavers still may be purchased to be engraved and installed at the playground. Funds raised after the playground opens will go toward outstanding bills, upkeep and improvements, Andrea Cunningham said, and maybe the renovation of other playgrounds to make them accessible.

Andrea Cunningham said the inspiration for the playland, her daughter Melaina, would have loved the playland.

"We're sad that she's not going to be able to utilize the playground," she said. "We know that she will be there in spirit -- that she's happy with our effort [and] that we can help others."

Building the all-accessible playground took the work of the community to make it possible, she said.

"It's actually more than I ever imagined," she said. " ... People in the community really stepped up to bring it to life in the way [we] dreamed it would be."

The ribbon-cutting at 5 p.m. Sept. 27 is open to the public.

For more information about Melaina's Magical Playland, visit magicalplayland.org.

adowning@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent address:

Cape County Park North, Cape Girardeau, Mo.