All-abilities playground at La Crescent-Hokah Elementary nearly complete

The La Crescent community has come together to ensure children of all abilities have a chance to enjoy recess.

Workers are putting the finishing touches on an all-abilities playground at La Crescent-Hokah Elementary School.

Principal Jeff Copp says 80 percent of the playground is handicap accessible.

“(It’s) designed to have access for those who might be not as able to walk around, so there’s ramps and sensory panels for students of all abilities,” Copp said. “We have a 10-spin, which is a variation on a traditional merry-go-round. A traditional swing set, which comes with an apparatus which is designed to hold students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to use a traditional swing set.”

Copp said it was a great partnership between students and community volunteers.

“This was through fundraising by our students, the rotary, with other local funds, donated over $20,000 to the project,” he said.

Copp says the students don’t care who they play with and anticipates the interaction will be fun to see.