Maryville inclusive park fully funded

The second inclusive playground at Maryville’s John Sevier Park has been fully funded, according to ARC of the Great Smokies officials. The project is the second phase of an inclusive playground at the park and will be aimed at younger children between the ages of 2 and 5 with physical and developmental disabilities, though all children can use the playground. The cost of the new playground is around $500,000 and most of the funds have been raised by community volunteers, though the city of Maryville also contributed funds. The Maryville-Alcoa-Blount County Parks and Recreation Department has also offered in-kind donations of labor to clear the area for future construction. ARC of the Smokies is working with parents to determine what type of equipment will be installed at the site.  The first phase completed in 2021 is aimed at children between the ages of 7 to 12 years