Enjoy a night out on Tuesday, Oct. 10, and support the effort to bring an inclusive playground to Richardson. Wildflower Patio and Grill (formerly the Marcus Café) is the venue and patrons can take advantage of Happy Hour, a special three-course gourmet meal and live entertainment by Ellis Island. While you have a great time, 20 percent of all proceeds will go to building the Inclusive Playground at Cottonwood Park.

Come for Happy Hour, come for dinner, come for drinks after dinner, or make an entire evening of it. We’ll start the festivities with Happy Hour at 5:30 and shut down the party at 9 pm. You can order dinner from a special menu consisting of three courses at a bargain price of $32.00 per person. Choose from multiple appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Local duo Ellis Island will entertain us on the Wildflower’s patio and renderings of the proposed playground will be available for your perusal. Plus, we’ll have a raffle for some fun prizes.

Make this a date night and know that you will contribute to the exciting, grassroots effort to bring inclusive play to Richardson.

The Inclusive Playground is a collaboration between the City of Richardson and Richardson East Rotary Club. The city has funds to replace the aging playground at Cottonwood Park, but has decided to enhance the park and the community with the introduction of the “inclusive playground” concept. Inclusive playgrounds cost more due to specialized equipment and the expensive “poured in place” rubberized surfaces used to make the equipment more accessible. Richardson East Rotary Club is working with the city to raise funds to bridge the gap between a standard playground, for which the city has funds, and an Inclusive Playground.

The idea is to a create a playground where nearly everyone, including seniors, can access the facility and play side-by-side. All of Richardson’s Parks are accessible according to federal standards, but playgrounds that are truly “inclusive” - meaning nearly anyone can reach and use the equipment - are rare in the region.

To participate, show up at Wildflower Patio and Grill and be ready for a good time and a good meal (2701 Custer Parkway in the II Creeks development).

Our Mission – To create a community playground that will inspire children and families of all ages and abilities to have fun in a safe, inclusive environment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: email info@rerotary.com or go to the Richardson East Rotary Club website.