Community Members Swinging Into Action Is Helping Kellan’s Kingdom All-Inclusive Playground Slide Closer To Goals

Pat and Alie Tigges have been embraced by the community of Carroll as they have worked for months to raise money for the city’s first all-inclusive playground, Kellan’s Kingdom, named after their six-year-old son Kellan, who was born with a condition similar to cerebral palsy. To date a variety of different events have raised just short of $64,000, and when added with the Warren H. Timmerman Grant of $5,000, they are right at around $69,000 raised. There is another approximately $800 from the Charlie’s Steakhouse fundraiser, the money raised from the duck races held by the Kiwanis Club and a donation from Availa Bank that have not yet been factored into that total. Pat Tigges says there are several more upcoming fundraisers, with the next one, a Haircut and a Brew, at the Piranha Club on Wednesday, Aug. 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Haircuts will be provided by Angi Brower Baumeister of A Head of the Times Salon while Brad Morgan entertains the crowd. Tigges says many other people have proposed fundraisers, including Kerp’s Bar and Grill, who is planning an upcoming event. He has even been contacted by people wanting to donate their services to the project.

Carroll Parks and Rec Director, Jack Wardell, estimates that after factoring in the $50,000 the city has pledged, they will be close to their goal. Wardell says, however, he doesn’t want to rush construction of the project just to get it done right before winter, when usage is limited. He suggests going to bid this fall and being ready to construct the playground in the spring.

One thing Wardell says will impact the cost of the playground is the base for the special, rubberized surface and whether they elect to go with rock or a four-inch concrete pad underneath. As for the location of the all-inclusive playground, the plan right now is to put it north of the south parking, as close as possible to the west of the existing equipment in Graham Park. Tigges says it is truly amazing what the people of the Carroll area are doing for this project and in supporting the fundraising efforts. He adds the Kellan’s Kingdom charitable foundation will, obviously, not be going this hard at it every year, but their goal is to have a couple of fun events each year to continue to raise money to help put select pieces in parks around Carroll and in other communities throughout the area.