Franklin begins fundraising for inclusive playground

Funding began for the first inclusive playground in Franklin, which will be named after the granddaughter of Franklin Vice Mayor Brandy Blanton. Ellie G’s Dream world is named for Elliot Grace Castro, who died at the age of 4 in September 2019 after being born with a rare form of dwarfism called Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata (RCDP). The concept of the playground was first started in 2015, but the idea further evolved in 2019. The total cost of the project is $3 million and Friends of Franklin Parks held a safari-themed kick-off party to launch fundraising efforts. The playground will be located on three acres on the future 233-acre Southeast Municipal Complex on Carothers Parkway. Other features of that future park include football fields, walking trails, concessions, accessible restrooms, and a pavilion. So far, $170,000 has been raised for the playground project. Donations of all amounts for Ellie G’s Dream World are still being accepted at www.friendsoffranklinparks.org/inclusive-playground.