The Fields Playground Group received a badly needed cash infusion from Nick and Joe Smith, who donated $100,000 each to help the playground become a reality. While neither Nick nor Joe resides in Randolph, they own property in the township and have relatives who do live in Randolph.
Nick Smith, a Suffield resident, said he was happy to contribute to the cause.
“It’s for disabled kids and they don’t really have a place to go. It’s just nice for the kids to have something — a park to play in,” he said.
The Fields Playground Group has been raising funds to build an inclusive playground that will serve children of all ages and abilities. Located at Old School Park in Randolph (the old middle school land), Mila’s Hope and Rowyn’s Dreams Playground is the third of its kind in Ohio.
Trustee Susan White told The Portager she sat down and cried upon receiving news of the donation.
“They did a phenomenal thing,” she said. “I am beyond grateful to them. Nobody asked them. They just did it, and it means the world to these kids. They have shared and made Randolph a better place.”
The playground group recently held a silent auction on Facebook in which local businesses and individuals offered in-kind donations of products and services. The auction raised $13,580.Anyone who would like to make a donation may visit the group’s website at www.fieldsplaygroundgroup.org. The playground is named for FPG President Susan Monegan’s granddaughter Mila and FPG Secretary Amy Decker’s daughter.
Correction: This article incorrectly reported that the donation was for $100,000 total. Rather, each of the Smiths donated $100,000 for a total of $200,000.
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.