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A conceptual image showing what a new "universal access" playground could look like at Ann Arbor's Gallup Park along the Huron River.

(Courtesy of City of Ann Arbor)

The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor will celebrate its 100-year anniversary in 2016 and has chosen to help fund a community project to commemorate the milestone.

That will take shape in the form of a new "universal access" playground at Gallup Park, city officials said this week.

A universal access playground is described as one that is designed to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible.

That's in contrast a standard handicap-accessible playground that complies with the minimum accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Karen Kerry, the Rotary Club's president-elect, said it will be a state-of-the-art facility that will serve all — young and old, with and without physical challenges — and offer a unique opportunity for families to enjoy the beauty of the Huron River.

The Rotary Club has committed to raising at least $250,000 to put toward the construction. The preliminary budget is $500,000.

The city plans to contribute $100,000 and also seek state grant funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Construction is expected to take place in 2016.

"This is an exciting and important project, and we're incredibly fortunate to have the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor as partners," said Colin Smith, the city's parks and recreation manager. "Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation has some 80 playgrounds, but none are universal access playgrounds, so this project addresses a real community need."

The playground will be located in the east section of Gallup Park, near picnic shelters and a youth fishing pond. It will replace an existing, antiquated play structure.

Smith said it's expected to measure roughly 5,000 square feet, which is about twice the size and footprint of the play area there now.

Asked how it would be different, Smith said there would be a heavier use of ramps throughout the playground structures, and it would be one one solid surface.

"Universal access playgrounds kind of have one surface instead of it being made up of wood chips or composite materials," he said. "It's usually recycled rubber or something along those lines, so it's much more accessible for somebody on wheels.

A public discussion about the project will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.

The public is invited to attend the meeting to learn more about the project and provide feedback about its exact location and features.

For more information about the project and the upcoming meeting, contact Smith at 734-794-6230 ext. 42500 or csmith@a2gov.org.

Accommodations for persons with disabilities, including sign language interpreters, can be arranged by contacting the city clerk’s office at 734-794-6140 or by email at cityclerk@a2gov.org at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

Ryan Stanton covers Ann Arbor city hall for The Ann Arbor News. Reach him at ryanstanton@mlive.com or 734-623-2529 or follow him on Twitter.