The Janesville Generations Fund, a component of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, announced today that it is partnering with the Janesville Foundation to contribute $50,000 each in a community-matching grant for the renovation of the well-known, handicap accessible CAMDEN Playground. The two organizations are asking for the community to raise matching funds of an additional $50,000 by March 31, 2016.
In addition, the Janesville Generations Fund announced a $10,000 grant to go to G.I.F.T.S., God Is Faithful Temporary Shelter, as an early contribution toward its $1.5 Million capital campaign for establishing a permanent year-round homeless shelter here in Janesville.
“The Janesville Generations Fund is dedicated to supporting projects that make a big difference in the Janesville community,” said Bryan Steil, Janesville Generations Fund Advisory Board President. “We are excited about making both of these grants because both are perfect fits for our mission. The grant to the CAMDEN Playground will put a brand new shine on a treasured community asset, and the grant to G.I.F.T.S. is a small step toward establishing a permanent homeless shelter that has long been needed in our community.”
Constructed in 1993 with the effort of nearly 3,000 volunteers, CAMDEN Playground was designed to be handicap accessible. At the time it was constructed, it was the largest and most handicap accessible playground in the world. Over its 22 years, it has attracted at least 1.3 million visitors and currently ranks as Trip Advisor’s second highest recommended activity in Janesville.
Most of the wood structures used to construct the playground are nearing the end of their useful lives, creating a critical need for repairs. The total cost of the projected renovation work is $350,000. To date, the CAMDEN Playground group has raised $205,000 toward that goal. The hope of the Janesville Generations Fund and the Janesville Foundation is that their $100,000 matching grants combined with a public wide effort to raise the remaining $50,000 will help the CAMDEN group meet or exceed its fundraising goal by March 31, 2016, so that work to renovate the playground can be completed this summer.
“Plans have been drawn for the CAMDEN renovation, and all that is needed to begin work is the remaining $150,000” said Sherry Kuelz, president/co-founder of CAMDEN Foundation.
Gifts to CAMDEN Renovation project can go to Janesville Generations Fund – CAMDEN Project c/o Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin at 26 S. Jackson Street, Janesville or contact Jane Maldonis, donor services representative for the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin at 608-758-0883 or jane@cfsw.org.
