Inspiration Playground Inauguration Huge Success!

The Play For All Expo and Inspiration Playground Inauguration event was a grand success on Saturday, September 29, in the Bellevue Downtown Park. The Parks Department staff estimated that over 800 people cycled through the booths during the four hours the event was held!

Many other volunteers worked tirelessly to make this event happen, including 32 Bellevue Rotary volunteers PLUS family and friends, Rotaractors, Mayor Conrad Lee, Rotary District Governor Steve Lingenbrink, and City of Bellevue Parks Department staff. Special thanks to Project Co-Chair Pat Naselow, who was the key coordinator. I am so proud of our club and what we have been able to accomplish so far.

Some 200 Boy and Girl Scouts also participated in the event, creating their own disability awareness booths, which were intermingled with the other organizations, providing services for people with disabilities. Thanks to Peter Wang for coordinating this part of the event!

Many “experiential” events were featured, to give participants insight into the challenges of having a disability.

Did you catch the article in the Bellevue Reporter recently that featured our own Bill Ptacek and daughter Sara? If not, please read this informative and touching story.

Many parents of children with disability came up to me and other Rotarians during the event, wondering how soon the playground will be finished so their children can enjoy it. There are few options for these kids to get out and play, have fun, and interact with other children. These parents are so eager for this project to become a reality, and through our efforts, it will happen!

Robert Rose
President, Bellevue Rotary Club