Efforts to raise funds for the purchase of the only handicappped accessible playground in northeast Oklahoma kicked off Saturday with a “Night In the Park” at Civitan Park.

The Muskogee Civitan Club hopes to raise $252,000 by May 2009 to install a playground on the north side of the park that is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Don Garrison, president of Civitan Club, said the only other playground like this is in Weatherford and the new Muskogee equipment is considered to be a “zero carbon playground” by the manufacturer.

“They (the manufacturer) have a formula that determines how many carbons it will emit to make the equipment. They will plant trees here, or wherever we request, to take up the emissions.”

Members of the Civitan Club helped staff the event that included a dunk tank, an inflatable toy, live music and concessions.

Mayor John Tyler Hammons wore flip-flops and carried a beach towel to the event. Hammons would be next in line to sit in the dunk tank. Hammons said that he was very glad to know the playground would be environmentally “green” and he feels it will draw more people into the park.

“I’m pushing that (environmental awareness) in my administration. I’m thankful for that,” Hammons said. “I think this proves that Muskogee cares about all members of the community. I think it will enhance the draw of Civitan Park.”

Bryan Montgomery, partner of ACS Playground Adventures, which sells the equipment, explained features of the playgroud to attendees, including the new Evos system, which is a piece of equipment that targets children ages 5 and older.

“Older children tend to get bored with playgrounds. The Evos is designed to disguise exercise as playing,” Montgomery, 36, of Chandler said.

Other features will include an 84x84-foot SafeTurf ground cover and Pour in Place Rubber for wheelchair accessibility to the equipment.

Garrison said that this is the first of many fundraising events planned for the park. He also said that the club has submitted grant requests. They have received responses back to some of those requests saying they are being considered as recipients.

“We’ve got other plans coming up in the fall. We’re doing all kinds of things,” Garrison said. “This will be our first annual event for “Night in the Park,” not just a fundraiser. We will have entertainment once a year in the park for families.”