Carly's Clubhouse
Dustin Chandler with his wife, Amy, and their three children. Photo courtesy of Dustin Chandler.
For local children with special needs, playtime will soon become an adventure. Fundraising for a special playground at Pelham City Park where children of all abilities can play is currently underway.
Dustin Chandler, an Inverness resident and Pelham police officer, is the mind behind the inclusive playground that will be called Carly’s Clubhouse, named after his daughter, Carly. She was born with a rare disorder called CDKL5. There is no cure for CDKL5, and it has caused developmental delays for Carly.
Following Carly’s diagnosis, Chandler met countless parents of children who have special needs.
“A common thread with all of us is we want our children to be able to play with their able-bodied siblings or peers,” said Chandler. “After many days trying to find a solution, the idea of Carly’s Clubhouse was born.”
The city of Pelham donated the land for the 30,000-square-foot playground, and Chandler said it will have a variety of fun components such as accessible zip lines, a rocket ship with flashing lights, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, swings and more. Chandler has met regularly with several committees in charge of planning the playground and traveling around the community spreading the word.
He said help is still needed in reaching the $800,000 fundraising goal. $40,000 has been raised so far. He hopes a majority of the money will come from grants. In March, a motorcycle ride was held at the Pelham Civic Complex, and plans are also currently in place for another fundraising event.
“The only way we are going to get this done is through the help of the community,” said Chandler.
Chandler’s playground efforts have also had a ripple effect in other areas across the country. He said a family in Tuscaloosa was inspired to build an all-inclusive playground, and he’s even gotten a phone call from parents in Utah.
Chandler recently got the chance to meet with a group of engineering students from Detroit who are designing a swing made to accommodate children with special needs as they grow.
“It really shows you the impact these playgrounds can have,” Chandler said. “This is going to be a regional activity that all children can enjoy.”
Kyle Cundy is the project manager of Leathers and Associates and has been with working Chandler on the playground.
“These playgrounds turn into destination playgrounds and service more than just their immediate community,” she said. “Families from surrounding areas will travel in to utilize these play structures.”
People are invited to purchase a personalized fence picket for $35 each or three for $90 to be placed around the perimeter of Carly’s Clubhouse.
Chandler said an inclusive junior board will be created consisting of children ages eight and older who want to participate with parental advisors. The children will be fundraising and talking to community leaders.
For more, visit carlysclubhouse.org.
