CANA Playground Project Frequently Asked Questions
Why are we raising $85,000 for Cleveland Park?
In 2020, the City of Cedar Rapids Parks Department has plans to upgrade the playground equipment at Cleveland Park. The Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association would like to match their playground improvement budget of $85,000 to include additional playground upgrades, including inclusive playground equipment for our community.
What is ADA-compliant and inclusive playground equipment?
Every playground is required to be ADA compliant. It is the law. This means that the park equipment is easy to approach and reach by kids of a wide age range and include lowered money bars, ramps that lead to the upper parts of the playground equipment, and swing seats with backs on them to make them usable for people who need support.
When you add inclusive playground equipment, these are pieces of equipment and overall playground designs that encourage all types of play with a mix of physical, sensory, and social activities for multiple challenge levels. The activities are more designed into “pods” on the playground to make the playground easier to access and navigate. Inclusive equipment also includes easier access for wheelchairs and strollers to enter and navigate the playground. At Cleveland Park, we want to be sure that everyone feels welcome and able to play with their friends, family, and neighbors on our playground.
When is this project happening?
We are fundraising through November 1, 2019. The actual park improvements will start in late spring or early summer (May-June) 2020. A specific date will be announced along with a groundbreaking event in late spring 2020.
What is the deadline to raise the money?
The final date for any donations to be made is November 1, 2019. Most grant cycles also end at this date, and we need to submit requests for proposals to playground design companies for our project ASAP. This target end date allows us the most opportunity to receive public or private grants and sponsorships yet in 2019.
What happens if we don’t meet our goal?
All money raised through our fundraising efforts will be put towards this playground improvement project, no matter the total dollar amount raised. Every penny helps. Of course, the more we raise, the better!
Why isn’t the city building us a new park?
Oh, they are! The city has an $85,000 budget for the playground improvements that are planned for 2020. The money we raise from this fundraising project will allow us to add a variety of other playground equipment pieces, including some inclusive equipment.
What do we have so far?
We are very excited to have a donation of a net climber by the Cedar Rapids Kiwanis Club. We also have a small amount of donations from our summer 2019 pancake breakfast set aside. This totals roughly $15,000 as of July 15, 2019.
How do I donate?
Donations can be made by check to Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association and mailed to CANA, PO Box 8501, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52408. Donations can also be made via PayPal at paypal.me/CANA108.
Can I write this donation off on my taxes?
Yes! Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations to CANA and CANA projects are tax-deductible. Please contact our treasurer at [email protected].
How can I help with fundraising efforts?
Spread our message! Share our goal! Ask your friends, family, and neighbors to check out our space at Cleveland Park. Encourage them to make a donation via check or PayPal. If they can’t make a monetary donation, ask them to share our flyer or share our message on Facebook. Ask your local business contacts to support our project through sponsorship and donations. We can’t hit our $85,000 goal without you!
I have another question. Who can I contact?
With questions regarding the playground improvement project or CANA in general, please reach out to President George Heeren at [email protected].
In 2020, the City of Cedar Rapids Parks Department has plans to upgrade the playground equipment at Cleveland Park. The Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association would like to match their playground improvement budget of $85,000 to include additional playground upgrades, including inclusive playground equipment for our community.
What is ADA-compliant and inclusive playground equipment?
Every playground is required to be ADA compliant. It is the law. This means that the park equipment is easy to approach and reach by kids of a wide age range and include lowered money bars, ramps that lead to the upper parts of the playground equipment, and swing seats with backs on them to make them usable for people who need support.
When you add inclusive playground equipment, these are pieces of equipment and overall playground designs that encourage all types of play with a mix of physical, sensory, and social activities for multiple challenge levels. The activities are more designed into “pods” on the playground to make the playground easier to access and navigate. Inclusive equipment also includes easier access for wheelchairs and strollers to enter and navigate the playground. At Cleveland Park, we want to be sure that everyone feels welcome and able to play with their friends, family, and neighbors on our playground.
When is this project happening?
We are fundraising through November 1, 2019. The actual park improvements will start in late spring or early summer (May-June) 2020. A specific date will be announced along with a groundbreaking event in late spring 2020.
What is the deadline to raise the money?
The final date for any donations to be made is November 1, 2019. Most grant cycles also end at this date, and we need to submit requests for proposals to playground design companies for our project ASAP. This target end date allows us the most opportunity to receive public or private grants and sponsorships yet in 2019.
What happens if we don’t meet our goal?
All money raised through our fundraising efforts will be put towards this playground improvement project, no matter the total dollar amount raised. Every penny helps. Of course, the more we raise, the better!
Why isn’t the city building us a new park?
Oh, they are! The city has an $85,000 budget for the playground improvements that are planned for 2020. The money we raise from this fundraising project will allow us to add a variety of other playground equipment pieces, including some inclusive equipment.
What do we have so far?
We are very excited to have a donation of a net climber by the Cedar Rapids Kiwanis Club. We also have a small amount of donations from our summer 2019 pancake breakfast set aside. This totals roughly $15,000 as of July 15, 2019.
How do I donate?
Donations can be made by check to Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association and mailed to CANA, PO Box 8501, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52408. Donations can also be made via PayPal at paypal.me/CANA108.
Can I write this donation off on my taxes?
Yes! Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations to CANA and CANA projects are tax-deductible. Please contact our treasurer at [email protected].
How can I help with fundraising efforts?
Spread our message! Share our goal! Ask your friends, family, and neighbors to check out our space at Cleveland Park. Encourage them to make a donation via check or PayPal. If they can’t make a monetary donation, ask them to share our flyer or share our message on Facebook. Ask your local business contacts to support our project through sponsorship and donations. We can’t hit our $85,000 goal without you!
I have another question. Who can I contact?
With questions regarding the playground improvement project or CANA in general, please reach out to President George Heeren at [email protected].
