“Moms on a Mission” earns $100k grant for Henderson’s first inclusive playground

HENDERSON, Neb. (KLKN) – The city of Henderson has a handful of parks, but none that are ADA-compliant.

Local moms Jacqueline Goertzen and Sidney Morton, along with two other mothers, decided enough was enough.

They yearned for a park that would be inclusive for all; for kids as young as two years old to those in wheelchairs too.

“We always just take our kids to the park, and we usually leave our town to go to other parks,” said Goertzen.

“We are just volunteer moms trying to better our town and trying to have a place that is more inclusive for everyone because right now our town does not have anything that is inclusive.”

Goertzen and Morton showed Channel 8 how the current playground has barriers that prevent disabled individuals from entering.

The group first met with Henderson’s mayor and were later inspired to start a nonprofit, ‘Moms on a Mission.’

They presented their plans to the York County Commissioners and the York County Visitors Bureau last July, and their efforts have now earned them a $100,000 seed grant.

“Everyone on city council, they were for it and they were excited,” said Goertzen.

“But there are still feelings about the current park. Everyone loves the swings and the Tornado slide. That’s what they know and what they love, and we don’t want to take that away in any form, but we do still need a park that is handicap accessible.”

The decision on whether or not the current park will remain or be torn down is still to be voted on, but the moms aren’t slowing down.

They worked with business and legal experts and drew inspiration from other ADA compliant parks too.

“Just learning how to have parallel play in a park, like sitting on swings, having a handicap swing next to a child that can sit in a swing, that’s something that we hadn’t thought of. And so, we’re very thankful for the expertise of the people that have gone before us.”

‘Moms on a Mission’ plans to raise the remaining $400,000 by rallying support from local businesses in the area.

As for a deadline?

“As soon as we have the money, we are ready to break ground. We would love for the camaraderie of the town to come together to where it is in fact, a park that the whole town of Henderson built together,” said Goertzen.

The moms say that ‘Henderson Community Days’ is coming up July 10-12.

It is a summer festival meant to celebrate the town’s heritage.

They hope it will bring out people looking to donate to the park.

If you would like to check out their plans, you can access them here.