-------------AWARDS & RECOGNITION-------------
The latest award given us was a Resolution proclaiming June 23, 2018 as "CAMDEN Playground Grand Re-Opening and
25th Anniversary Celebration Day" in the City of Janesville by the City Council. It was totally unexpected, and we are very
grateful to all who took part in the two builds, the original and the rebuild. Businesses, churches, people from all walks of
life stepped forward to give this playground a new life, and we are very grateful.
We never did this playground for any recognition, or awards, we did it so my nephew, Camden, and children like him to
share in the joy of childhood. Playing on swings, sliding down a slide, and just having fun like children do. And everytime we
see him and all children laughing and having the chance to escape the hardships of their special needs, it brings joy to us.
We know they are just like everyone else deep inside, even if they may be in wheelchairs, have walkers, seeing eye dogs, canes,
it doesn't matter, they are still children. And with CAMDEN Playground, others are seeing that too.
Families come to CAMDEN Playground and no longer care what each other looks like, but only know there is another child to
play with. They have fun and suddenly the prejudism that once existed has vanished, at least here in Janesville. I've heard
the same said about other places who've modeled their playgrounds after this one, world-wide. This is the miracle we've gotten,
from my nephew, Camden, a place where people can come together, grow together and accept one another for who they truly are.
But we have been blessed with awards and recognition and I'd like to place them here and thank those who have given them to us.
I don't know if I'll remember them all, but I'll try. I wish I had pictures of them all, but those are in our scrap book which
is held by my sister, Sara. We felt it best to let the mother of the inspiration behind the playground be the one to be honored
with that. So again, thank you all who have honored us with these awards.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~AWARDS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1993 CHANNEL 23 VOLUNTEER AWARD
phase building of the playground and how they were organized and put to work so smoothly.
1993 JANESVILLE CITY COUNCIL JANESVILLE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD
1993 EASTER SEAL SOCIETY OF WI DISABILITY AWARENESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
1994 DANIEL J FLAHERTY PARK EXCELLENCE AWARD
and provide a significant impact on their community and agency".
1996 GOVERNOR'S WASTE REDUCTION & RECYCLING AWARD
Playground has a majority of it's ramping, and ground cover which is recycled, as well as the wood and other portions of the playground,
for which it received it's award.
2010 PEOPLE MAGAZINE/MLB ALL-STARS AMONG US FINALIST
putting together the organization and getting it started.