Tuesday, July 1, 2025
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
The Chronicle News
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Chronicle News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Lawton

Children United Park to break ground

The Chronicle News by The Chronicle News
May 16, 2023
in Lawton
0
Children United Park to break ground
9
SHARES
49
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
build stronger customer relationships

You might also like

Vietnam Veterans of America to meet Saturday

Vietnam Veterans to meet

Quilt Guild to meet April 14

Joe Chesko would be proud.

As foundation work has begun at the Children United Park in Elmer Thomas Park, a dream he shared is closer to becoming reality.

That reality will become more firm with a groundbreaking the Children United Committee at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Chesko had a dream for this all-inclusive park in 2018. A sign marking its location next to the existing playground was erected in December 2020. He shared with The Constitution at the event his wish for a wheelchair-accessible playground to be constructed.

“It doesn’t matter the disability a child has,” he said in 2020, “they will be able to play.”

When Chesko passed away unexpectedly, his long-time friend and business collaborator, Jeannette Klein, stepped up to keep the dream alive. When he first shared his goal and asked her to participate, she called it an offer she couldn’t refuse.

“I love kids, I love people,” she said. “I became really aware there was no place for the children to play and it was a no brainer.”

Klein said she first assisted as Chesko’s “gofer.”

“When Joe would tell me to get something, I would go get it,” she said.

Chesko’s death in 2021 came as a shock to not just the community but the Children United Committee as well, Klein said. Following his funeral, they met and asked “where do we go from here?”

“We had raised quite a bit of money and purchased equipment to the tune of $140,000,” she said. “We owed it to the people that donated and sponored events, we owed it to the citizens of Lawton … so we knew we had to finish the project.”

Klein stepped up and took his role and the committee stayed together. Before Chesko’s death, she served as the spokesperson. She still is, but there’s more to it than that.

“I just took the baton and ran with it after that,” she said. “I just continued doing that and whatever needed to be done, let’s get it done.”

So far, more than $530,000 has been raised. Klein said that’s sufficient to get things started but it’ll take more to completely finish the project. A June poker run and the annual dancing event, to be held in October this year, will help. But another $400,000 at least is needed. She said it’s a reachable goal

“I know it sounds like a pretty big number and it is a pretty big number,” she said, “but quite a few people have pledged to help when we get closer to running out of money.”

The park is being constructed in phases: Phase 1 is starting now, according to Klein. A retaining wall still needs to be built and more dirt is needed to level the foundation pad. That’s underway, she said.

Then on to Phase 2: the installation of equipment on the playground. Klein said this will include securing concrete cylinders in the earth, along with anchors.

“A lot of the equipment is secured 6-feet-below surface,” she said. “Once it’s all in place, a liquid will be poured into the surface and it will seep into the ground and solidify the anchors.”

This is where, Klein said, money’s going to be short. She said she’s certain there’s enough money to finish the foundation and there should be enough to purchase the rest of the playground equipment; some has already been bought and is stored at the Armory building.

Klein said a 50 percent deposit has been placed on the wheelchair swing. She said it takes about 20 weeks for it to come in.

“Hoping the swing will be delivered right at the appropriate time,” she said. “If not, we’ll store it at the Armory with the other playground equipment.”

Klein believes this will be a centerpiece to the equipment: “The swing is awesome.”


Want to reach a local audience and grow your business?

Our website is the perfect platform to connect with engaged readers in your local area.

Whether you're looking for banner ads, sponsored content, or custom promotions, we can tailor a package to meet your needs.

Contact us today to learn more about advertising opportunities!

CONTACT US NOW
Previous Post

Dead end road leads to dead end for run from law, according to police

Next Post

Family and friends

The Chronicle News

The Chronicle News

Related Posts

Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
Lawton

Vietnam Veterans of America to meet Saturday

by The Chronicle News
June 19, 2025
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
Lawton

Vietnam Veterans to meet

by The Chronicle News
May 11, 2025
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
Lawton

Quilt Guild to meet April 14

by The Chronicle News
April 8, 2025
Whittier students to face the monsters of their imaginations
Lawton

Whittier students to face the monsters of their imaginations

by The Chronicle News
April 6, 2025
Wait times may be long at City Hall's payment drive-thru
Lawton

Wait times may be long at City Hall’s payment drive-thru

by The Chronicle News
April 6, 2025
Next Post
the chronicle news featured

Family and friends

Popular News This Week

  • Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband

    Vietnam Veterans of America to meet Saturday

    2 shares
    Share 1 Tweet 1
  • Quilt Guild to meet April 14

    8 shares
    Share 3 Tweet 2
  • VFW to meet Thursday

    7 shares
    Share 3 Tweet 2
  • CCIDA accepts land as payment toward Cosmetic Specialty Labs debt

    8 shares
    Share 3 Tweet 2
  • MASTER Builders to hold BBQ rib fundraiser

    6 shares
    Share 2 Tweet 2

About

Welcome to The Chronicle. The Chronicle gives you the absolute best news sources that are happening in and around Comanche County! Our news are carefully curated and constantly updated to give you the best and most recent news as soon as they happen.

Categories

  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment

Site Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Latest News

  • Vietnam Veterans of America to meet Saturday June 19, 2025
  • MASTER Builders to hold BBQ rib fundraiser May 23, 2025
  • Repairs will close I-44 ramp at Lee Boulevard May 13, 2025

© 2023 The Chronicle News

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

© 2023 The Chronicle News

What Are Cookies
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?