EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - Rainbow Dream Playground in East Palestine saw a major upgrade allowing easier access for children with disabilities.

Mike and Ashley MicKim of McKim's Honeyvine, Tom Brittain of Brittain's Chevrolet and many community residents, organizations and businesses decided that a Park Board project was something they wished to achieve. 

The goal of this project was to make the Rainbow Dream Playground more accessible to children who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices and to provide more play options for children of all abilities. Several thousand dollars were collected to make this dream a reality. 

During the winter of 2020, the Village of East Palestine Streets department and City Park employees worked on the Park Pool House to remove changing room ramps, lower doors and provide better access to the poolside for clients using mobility devices. 

The project was halted for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but despite delays, the project has come into fruition. 

The playground now has two new swings: one on the west end, one on the east, designed for children with disabilities. A omnispinner was also installed. An omnispinner is a high-backed spinner that allows for an easy transfer from a mobility device, provides back support, side walls and speed limiter. A metallophone, which is a musical instrument similar to a large, weatherproof xylophone was also installed.

A chain bridge and an older balance board were both removed to ensure that all of the playground can be accessed by all children. The Village and Street Department, as well as employees and equipment donated by Martinez Landscaping, placed 77 cubic yards (approximately five tons) of playground mulch to complete the upgrade.

According to Village Manager, Mark McTrustry, the only part of the project that is incomplete at this time is a new pathway to the playground from the community center parking lot. McTrustry estimates that the path will be completed by the end of October.

The Village is grateful for the support received, the work provided by employees, volunteers, donors and the support of the community and the opportunity to provide better play options to more of the community's children.