A new park, handicap accessible, will be coming to Washington Township. The Butterfly Park will be a unique park that brings together five interactive play areas connected by walking trails. Butterfly Playground at Countryside Park, located at 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., is underway and expected to be completed by summer.
Linda Madden, project coordinator stated, “The park is designed for families to walk the 1.25 mile paved walking trail. There will be five pods along the trail, where children can stop to play. Each play area will have a different design and different emphasis.” Madden indicated that signage in each pod area would help parents and children learn the components each site.
The five environmental themed pods that are planned include:
Pod one: Butterfly Meadow
Pod two: Nature Sounds
Pod three: Woodland Play
Pod four: Natural History
Pod five: Water Play
In 2006, Arti and Hement Garg received horrifying news that their 6 year-old daughter, Yukta Gorg, passed away after a tragic automobile accident that occurred in Washington Township. News that most parents could never imagine, this family turned their loss into other children’s happiness. The Garg family donated $21,000 to the Township for a new playground. Finance director, Mike Barlow stated their donation was the largest money donation by an individual to the Township in the last twenty-five years. In addition to the generous donation of the Garg family, twenty private donations have been provided to fund the Butterfly project.
The Garg’s contacted the Township with an idea of a playground to honor their daughter, who loved butterflies. After working with Linda Madden, project coordinator, they all came up with a draft the Gargs felt best honored their beloved daughter. The final design of the park was donated by Eric Sauer of Cyp Studios.
“The Township and the Gargs have only committed to the first two pods. The final three pods will be dependent from the current grants and donations,” said Madden. “But, I have made it my goal to complete the project in the next five years, if the resources are available,” she continued.
A Butterfly Celebration is tentatively scheduled to take place on Yuta’s birthday, June 26, 2013.
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