Honoring and Remembering Prescott’s Own Kayla Mueller
The Kiwanis Club of Prescott is competing against Kiwanis clubs around the world to win $25,000 to build a new playground from Landscape Structures Inc. Kiwanians in Prescott say if they win, they’ll name the playground “Kayla’s Hands Playground” in honor of Kayla Mueller, the humanitarian worker from Prescott who was kidnapped in 2013 by the Islamic State group in Syria and died in February while still in the group’s custody.
Kayla’s father, Carl Mueller, is a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club in Prescott. The winner of the contest will be determined in a contest on Facebook. Voting began May 12th and ended June 1st. After voting ends, the top ten vote recipients will advance to the final round, and a jury will select the winning club. The contest rules require the winner to install the playground by June 1, 2016. Kiwanis Club of Prescott and the city Parks and Recreation Department identified the playground at Pioneer Park to be replaced if the club wins the contest.
Kelly Tobert, recreation coordinator for the city of Prescott, hopes the contest will pay for new equipment at Pioneer Park which means more children can play on equipment for all ages. Tobert also states that the existing sand around the playground isn’t compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, and she’s hoping to upgrade it to more suitable play surface. She’s also hoping to change the playground’s location to an open space south of the hockey rink at Pioneer Park.
“We want to work with Kayla’s parents to make a fitting tribute,” Tobet shared.
The Kiwanis club said it has the support of community youth sports leagues, including American Youth Soccer Organization, Prescott Girls Softball Association, Prescott Youth Hockey Association and Prescott Little League; and various church groups to support the project.
Regardless of who wins the contest, it’s wonderful that the town of Prescott is honoring and remembering native Kayla Mueller with a community park in her memory. A fitting tribute indeed.
Crystal Creek Builders wishes the best of luck to the competing Kiwanis clubs!
Crystal Creek Builders
928-445-3200
