Video: ‘Everybody’s Playground’ Going Up In Fulton

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FULTON, MISS. (WCBI) – It’s a story about a special project we’ve been following for more than two years in Fulton. WCBI’s Allie Martin brings us the latest on a special playground being built to remember a beloved teacher and provide a lifetime of joy for the children she loved.

After a year and a half of planning, this space at the Itawamba Attendance Center is being transformed.

The playground will be handicap accessible and will feature wheelchair ramps, sensory panels and loads of other attractions. The entire project is organized by April’s Angels, a group formed in 2012 in memory of IAC pre school teacher April South.

“It’s a dream that April had, from the very beginning when I started working with her, we have so many special needs children and this will benefit all of them,” said IAC Special Education Teacher Kristie Craig.

Organizers point out the playground will be open to all kids, regardless of physical or mental handicaps.

“It’s everybody’s playground,” said Emily Mabus, co-founder of April’s Angels. Mabus has helped raise awareness and money for the $110,000 project and says the community involvement is overwhelming.

“We have had numerous, private donations made through local, and out of town construction companies that have been phenomenal. I can’t say enough about Itawamba County stepping up and helping out with this cause, it’s been very rewarding,” she said.

This is no ordinary playground, the posts supporting all the equipment will be placed in these holes, 2 and a half feet in the ground, then it will be encased in concrete. Once it’s all finished it will be enjoyed by kids and adults for decades to come.

“This playground is very heavy-duty, it will be around for thirty years or more. This playground size is larger than normal, it’s very high end, very nice and it’s amazing to see this community pull together to build something like this,” said Kight Jones, of Alabama-based J.A. Dawson and Company, which is in charge of construction.

Work should be complete by the end of next week, then a community wide celebration is planned when school starts in August.

April’s Angels also holds other projects and events to benefit local students. For more information on how to help out or donate, you can go to www.aprils-angels.org or createfoundation.com