Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Huntsville Times Article - SNAP Best of Aquatics Facility

Huntsville Times Article -

Morgan County's Special Needs Splash Pad

named 'Best of Aquatics' facility in nation

Please click on link to see article:

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/01/morgan_countys_special_needs_s.html

Friday, January 20, 2012

SNAP Playground Receives Prestigious Award – 2011 Best of Aquatics

January 18, 2012

CONTACT: Bob Francis, Project Manager

256-227-3483

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SNAP Playground Receives Prestigious Award – 2011 Best of Aquatics

Hartselle, Alabama - The “John Mark Stallings Special Needs Accessible Playground (SNAP) of Morgan County" Splash Pad has been recognized by Aquatics International magazine as a “Best of Aquatics” facility for 2011.

This nationwide competition celebrates the industry’s outstanding aquatics facilities of all varieties — including government, nonprofit and privately owned operations. Entries are judged on programming, promotional materials, aquatic amenities and community involvement. A panel of distinguished aquatics professionals independently chose SNAP as the best in class over all other spraypark facilities that entered the contest. Judge`s comment: “This project is an inspiration. Designing for universal accessibility requires foresight and careful planning. Kudos to the development team.”

Receiving this Best of Aquatics recognition demonstrates that the SNAP Splash Pad represents the industry's finest - a benchmark for other similar facilities. SNAP was recognized in a special supplement to the November/December 2011 issue of Aquatics International magazine. (Note: The article is attached.)

Aquatics International, owned by Hanley Wood, is the leading business-to-business media company serving the pool and spa, housing, and construction industries. Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood has more than 500 employees and is made up of five units, including a magazine division that publishes 22 trade magazines and an exhibition division for trade shows. Hanley Wood is owned by J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC, a private equity affiliate of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

SNAP is dedicated in memory of John Mark Stallings whose 46-year life was challenged by Down Syndrome. His life exemplifies that remarkable accomplishments are possible by those with disabilities when included in society.

There are more than 1,700 physically challenged children in Morgan County, and SNAP provides a regional premier special needs accessible and usable playground for their enjoyment. The playground is strategically located in central Morgan County in Hartselle`s Sparkman Park, near the Hartselle civic center. Sparkman Park hosts numerous other adjacent indoor/outdoor activities for children and adults and provides an ambient environment which is safe and conducive to merriment.

SNAP`s unique design, accommodations and central location make it a “destination attraction,” encouraging all children, with or without special needs, to come and play. Positive interaction between special needs children and those who are not physically challenged helps to minimize self-consciousness, build self-esteem and generally enhance the lives of special needs children and their families. It is emphasized that the entire SNAP complex is special needs accessible and usable and in total compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

SNAP is a three-phase project administered entirely by volunteers and funded by charity and grants. The project was initiated in December 2006 and is being constructed in phases as funds become available, permitting early incremental use. The Phase 1 Swing Area was completed in May 2008 at a cost of $32,794. The award-winning Phase 2 Splash Pad was completed in July 2010 at a cost of $239,224. The third and final phase is being completed in increments. A covered pavilion with picnic benches and ceiling fans was completed in June 2011 at a cost of $44,211 and includes special needs restrooms and a bi-level drinking fountain. Estimated to cost $58,000, a prominent entrance structure to the complex is under construction. A rubberized-surface playground with 45 play features, addressing twelve types of play for balanced child development, will complete the complex. Completion of this main playground is dependent on raising the remaining $350,000 required for construction.

Continued individual, business and corporate donations are essential to completion, and SNAP invites you to seek an opportunity to help. Every donation moves SNAP closer to the goal of making a difference in the lives of special needs children and their families. Visit www.snapplayground.org for more information and send donations to: SNAP of Hartselle, Inc., P. O. Box 512, Hartselle, Alabama 35640. SNAP is 501c3 approved for tax-deductible donations.

# # #

For more information or to coordinate an interview, please contact: Bob Francis, Project Manager, at 256-227-3483 or

Jack Templeton, Fundraising Chairman, at 256-227-3259. All media exposure pertaining to this information will be sincerely appreciated.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Special Needs Rodeo March 29, 2012

The annual Morgan County Alabama Sheriff's Rodeo kicks off on March 29th, 2012 with the "Special Needs Rodeo". This special day allows all City and Morgan County special needs kids a day off from school - they will enjoy fun, food & games, along with hay rides, face painting and, of course, a preview of cowboys & cowgirls roping and riding! Their own special rodeo!

The John Mark Stallings SNAP of Morgan County has supported this special needs rodeo for years and plans to have a booth that day! It is truly a fun day for all Morgan county special needs children.

These photos show the fun that these special needs children have had in past years participating in this special rodeo!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

SNAP Pictorial Status at 06-20-2011

Daystar "Serve Project" for SNAP

Lowe's Donates $1200 for Landscape Materials & Labor

More Photos from Randy Vest and District 2 volunteer efforst as they remain steadfast in helping to complete SNAP and have performed $7,400 in-kind work to this point.

December 16, 2011

Photos provided by Jack Templeton

District 2 Provides $7400 In-Kind Work to SNAP So Far

Randy Vest and District 2 remain steadfast in helping to complete SNAP and have performed $7,400 in-kind work to this point.

December 16, 2011

Photos provided by Jack Templeton

SNAP Project Begins Construction for Entrance

Here is the article from the Hartselle Courier Journal, dated January 4, 2012:

By Jennifer R. Hill

Hartselle Courier Journal, dated January 4, 2012

Jennifer.Hill@hartsellecourierjournal.com

The John Mark Stallings Special Needs Accessible Playground is entering the third and final phase of construction. Phase three will be built in two increments, first, the entry way under construction now, and lastly, the main playground area projected to be finished by the end of 2012. Morgan County Commission District 2 has prepared the ground for the concrete floors of the entry way to be poured this week, provided that weather is good, SNAP project manager Bob Francis said.

The main entrance will serve as a center for donor recognition, as well as, display a memorial plaque dedicated in memory of John Mark Stallings, Francis said.

The project began simply in 2002 when the Civitan Club of Hartselle decided to purchase special swing sets. In 2006, the four civic clubs of Hartselle - Civitan, Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary -came together with a bigger vision, Francis said.

“When you begin to do something like this, you begin to think we can do more,” he said.

The four clubs united, with several partners and donations throughout Morgan County, and did a lot more.

The SNAP playground is a multiuse playground for children of all abilities, located in Hartselle behind the Sparkman Civic Center. There is a swing area, completed in 2008, with wheelchair accessible swings, and a splash pad area completed in 2010, which is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. An accessible pavilion was complete in June 2011. There is no fee for use of the playground or splash pad.

The completed facility will have 68 total features incorporating “12 types of play for balanced child development” including, auditory/sound, balancing, brachiating, chinning, climbing, gathering/social, imaginative, manipulative, rocking, sliding, spinning and swinging.

The third phase will cost an estimated $263,515 bringing the approximate total of the complete project to $800,000.

“The target [for completing the main playground] was 2012, but it’s probably going to be pushed,” Francis said. “It depends on grants and fundraisers.”

To be a part of phase three of SNAP contact Sparkman Civic Center at (256) 773-2581. Send donations to SNAP, P.O. Box 512, Hartselle, Ala., 35640. Find out more about the playground at www.snapplayground.org.