HUTCHINSON, Kan. — T-Mobile announced Friday that Hutchinson is one of the 25 small towns winning Hometown Grants to jumpstart vital community development projects.
The $50,000 grant will go toward renovating the Hutchinson Zoo with the addition of a Nature Play themed playground, including a splash river and greenspace to provide a dedicated and inclusive play space for children of all abilities.
"As a child who grew up coming to the Hutchinson Zoo with my grandparents, I am thrilled to see the Nature Play Expansion enter its final phase," said Carissa Iseman, President, Hutchinson Friends of Zoo Board. "This project is at the heartbeat of who the Hutchinson community is - collaborative partners that truly believe we can make a greater impact together. Though the dream of the Nature Play Expansion and Splash River were born out of a match from a Federal grant, the Friends of the Zoo have had many partners help make it a reality for the children of Hutchinson. Receiving a T-Mobile Hometown Grant is a true honor. Children will have opportunities not experienced anywhere else, and the best part is it’s inclusive to all. Through self and social play, children of all physical accessibilities will get to explore and investigate the creek bed.”
The groundbreaking for the playground took place earlier this month.