Charity to donate adventure-trail playground equipment to Cape County Park

A local charity established after the sudden death of a 3-year-old boy has agreed to donate $150,000 worth of outdoor, nature-inspired playground equipment to Cape Girardeau County Park South.

Levi's Children's Charity president Luvina "Viney" Mosley announced the donation.

"I am so thrilled," she said. "The main thing from my point of view is that I know it will be maintained with love and care."

"Cape County Park South is in need of new playground equipment, and Levi's Adventure Trail is well suited for this beautiful location," Mosley said in a letter to the county commission.

Mosley's grandson, Levi Collom, died in 2012.

Mosley said Levi's family and others have joined to raise money to build the playground in honor of the boy who loved to climb, explore and camp.

County park superintendent Bryan Sander said the playground will replace the park's aging play area.

Mosley said the new equipment is designed to depict an adventure trail. Children will be able to climb on artificial rocks and play in sand and water. Various elements of the playground will be handicapped-accessible, she said.

Sander said the donation is an important part of a $350,000 project that includes construction of a new park shelter and a bathroom.

The county commission hopes to obtain a federal grant to help fund installation of the playground equipment and the other park improvements.

Mosley said she hopes the playground can be installed and ready for use by spring or early summer 2017.

Sander said the charity's donation is a perfect match. The county needed playground equipment, and the charity was willing to provide it, he said.

"It kind of worked out," she said.

Mosley's group initially had considered donating the equipment to Cape Girardeau's children's museum before deciding a more suitable outdoor location was needed.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau County Park South, Cape Girardeau, Mo.