Each handicap is like a hurdle in a steeplechase, and when you ride up to it, if you throw your heart over, the horse will go along, too.

&045; Lawrence Bixby

There are children throughout Shelby County who cannot experience playgrounds, as many of us did growing up, due to physical and mental handicaps. Boundless playgrounds answer this need by providing extraordinary barrier-free playgrounds where children, with and without disabilities, can develop essential skills for life as they learn together through play.

Anyone who has pushed a child in a swing or watched as children enjoy one of our community&8217;s many parks can speak to the wonderment and joy found on those children&8217;s faces. To be sure, spending time enjoying a playground on a hot summer day is one of life&8217;s most memorable childhood experiences.

The Kiwanis Club of Helena envisioned just such a playground some three years ago&045;&045;a vision to construct a boundless playground in Helena&8217;s Joe Tucker Park that would be accessible to all children regardless of their special circumstances.

Equipment that is being used in the park is designed to stimulate mental, social and physical development.

The Joe Tucker Park playground comes as a result of a project conceived by the Alabama District of Kiwanis International, which is spearheading the development of four such playgrounds across the state.

Not unlike many dreams, the boundless playground comes with a pricetag making fund-raising a first and major hurdle. Costs for the exceptional playground are drawing in on $375,000.

But in the next several weeks, work and generosity of the Kiwanis Club of Helena, the Shelby County Commission and countless other groups and individuals will come to fruition as th final phase of a boundless playground is completed in Helena&8217;s Joe Tucker Park.

How fortunate we are that our county is home to such a wonderful asset. But perhaps our county&8217;s greatest asset is the people that make such visions become a reality.

Any groups or individuals interested in volunteering to help complete the boundless playground are asked to contact Callie Waldrop at 620-3710