Case Study: Partnering with Civic Organizations
A Legacy of Inclusion, Service, and Community
Located at Miller Park near Fellows Lake and operated by Springfield City Utilities, The Hatch: A Playground for ALL stands as a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared purpose. Opened on April 18, 2025, this nationally recognized PlayCore National Demonstration Site™ was created through a collaborative effort led by the Kiwanis Club of Springfield South, City Utilities, Hatch Foundation, Cunningham Recreation's Play 4 ALL initiative, and numerous community partners.
What began as a modest vision with a $200,000 budget for a playground structure, swings, and loose-fill surfacing evolved into a transformative $645,000 destination playground designed to welcome children of all abilities. The result is an inclusive play environment that provides meaningful opportunities for children and families to connect, learn, and grow together.
Doing It Right
The journey to bring The Hatch to life took more than four years, fueled by a commitment to creating something truly special for the Springfield community.
From the beginning, project leaders understood that accessibility alone was not enough. The goal was to create a play environment that exceeded minimum standards and embraced evidence-based inclusive design principles. The playground was thoughtfully designed around the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design and Play On! guidelines, earning designation as a PlayCore National Demonstration Site™.
As plans developed, the vision expanded beyond a traditional playground. Additional fundraising made it possible to include a fully ramped play structure, towering play experiences, sensory-rich activities, and unitary rubberized surfacing that allows greater access throughout the play space.
"We need to do this right," campaign chair Les Mace often said. "This is our legacy project."
The Vision
The vision behind The Hatch was simple but powerful: create a place where children of all abilities can play, learn, and grow together.
As the Kiwanis Club of Springfield South prepared to celebrate its 70th anniversary, members sought a signature project that would create a lasting impact for generations to come. A club member proposed leading a campaign to build an inclusive playground, aligning perfectly with Kiwanis' longstanding mission of serving children and strengthening communities.
Longtime Kiwanis member Les Mace stepped forward to lead the effort, partnering with Cunningham Recreation, GameTime, and Play 4 ALL to turn the vision into reality. Together with Play 4 ALL's Victoria Babb and a dedicated Kiwanis committee, the group became the driving force behind fundraising, awareness, and community engagement efforts.
Guided by the belief that every child deserves access to play, the team worked tirelessly to build support and secure the resources necessary to create a destination that would serve families throughout the region.
Building Momentum and Mobilizing Support
Play 4 ALL, Cunningham Recreation's community resource division, was instrumental in helping identify and mobilize philanthropic support throughout the campaign.
As awareness grew, community members began to better understand that even ADA-compliant playgrounds can present barriers for many children with disabilities. Families shared personal stories about the importance of inclusive play spaces and the role they play in fostering friendships, confidence, and social connections.
The movement quickly expanded beyond a single organization.
Springfield City Utilities donated land near Fellows Lake and committed to maintaining the playground long-term. The Hatch Foundation provided a matching grant and became the project's naming sponsor. Additional support came from neighboring Kiwanis clubs, the Senate Bill 40 Board, Abilities First, local businesses, community organizations, and countless individual donors.
Each contribution helped move the project closer to reality.
Through collaboration, determination, and a shared belief that inclusion matters, the Kiwanis Club of Springfield South and its partners demonstrated the extraordinary impact communities can have when they work together.
A National Demonstration Site for Inclusion
As a PlayCore/GameTime National Demonstration Site™ for inclusion, The Hatch serves as more than a playground.
The site provides opportunities to collect valuable data measuring the impact of inclusive play environments on children, families, and communities. This information helps transform research into action, advancing best practices and supporting future inclusive recreation projects across the country.
The Hatch serves as a living example of how partnering with civic organizations in your community can not only bring opportunities for active play, health and wellness, but meaningful experiences for people of all abilities while promoting belonging, understanding, and community connection.
Lasting Legacy
Today, The Hatch: A Playground for ALL stands as a lasting reminder that inclusive communities are built when people intentionally create opportunities for everyone to participate.
The playground provides access to the physical, social, emotional, and developmental benefits of outdoor play while fostering a greater sense of belonging for children and families throughout the region.
The Kiwanis Club of Springfield South continues to support the site through ongoing programming and community events, including an annual Day of Play celebration designed to bring families, organizations, and resources together.
For Les Mace, the project represented the culmination of years of dedication and service. Following the playground's successful opening, he continued to advocate for inclusive play and submitted the project for recognition through Kiwanis International in the spring of 2026.
Until his passing on May 4, 2026, at the age of 91, Mace often described The Hatch as one of his greatest accomplishments.
His legacy lives on through a playground that has become far more than a place to play. It is a symbol of compassion, teamwork, and the power of a community united around the needs of children.
Client Perspective
What impact do you foresee this park having on your community?
"The new park welcomes families from across the region and includes children with and without disabilities. We believe that children should play together and learn from one another, and every family should have access to a place to play and make memories. Memories that will last a lifetime."
— Les Mace, Campaign Chair
Why did you decide to partner with Cunningham Recreation and Play 4 ALL?
"We looked at many playground vendors when we decided we wanted to go above and beyond ADA standards. We wanted this park to be special, and Cunningham Recreation has a long history of creating destination inclusive spaces. They also provided something other vendors could not—a person dedicated to helping us engage our community and keep the campaign alive through many years. Victoria led us the entire way, and we would not have made it without her."
— Les Mace, Campaign Chair
Project Highlights
- Location: Miller Park at Fellows Lake, Springfield, Missouri
- Owner/Operator: Springfield City Utilities
- Lead Organization: Kiwanis Club of Springfield South
- Community Resource Partner: Play 4 ALL by Cunningham Recreation
- Opened: April 18, 2025
- Total Project Investment: $645,000
- Design Focus: Inclusive Play and Play On! Principles
- Recognition: PlayCore National Demonstration Site™ for inclusion
- Features: Ramped play structure, tower play experiences, sensory-rich activities, accessible surfacing, and inclusive play opportunities for children of all abilities
