Tuesday, November 14, 2023
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Roper St. Francis Healthcare sponsors pavilion at world’s largest inclusive park in North Charleston
Roper St. Francis Healthcare is sponsoring a new pavilion inside the city of North Charleston’s eagerly awaited Park Circle redevelopment project that will feature the world’s largest inclusive playground.
The healthcare system carries a proud tradition of hosting or sponsoring events that bring people together, Troy Powell, regional president of Roper Hospital and Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital, said Friday during an opening ceremony.
“It is our honor to sponsor this beautiful pavilion that will serve as a gathering spot for citizens to access fresh food through a farmers market, to enjoy one another’s company and to celebrate life,” Powell said.
The $20 million transformation of Park Circle represents a remarkable achievement for the community, as the entire inner circle of Park Circle has been redeveloped to meet the modern needs of residents and visitors, according to the city of North Charleston.
The centerpiece of this reimagined park is the North Charleston Inclusive Playground, the largest of its kind in the world. Designed for people of all ages and abilities, this playground shows dedication from the North Charleston community to promote social, emotional, cognitive and physical development through play.
The North Charleston Inclusive Playground features elements chosen with great care to ensure the highest level of inclusion. Families will have the opportunity to engage in play that nurtures their motor skills, sensory perception, cognitive abilities, and social and emotional growth. This one-of-a-kind playground exemplifies the spirit of true inclusion and will serve as an inspiring model for communities around the globe.
The newly redeveloped Park Circle also boasts a community building, complete with a theater and meeting rooms, where art, culture and community gatherings will find a new home. An inclusive baseball field stands ready to host games that encourage friendly competition, and a versatile performance and event space is poised to become the stage for countless memorable moments.
“When we learned the city of North Charleston would be opening this park to improve the health and well-being of residents, we knew this aligned with OUR mission,” Powell said. “You see, at Roper St. Francis Healthcare, our mission is ‘healing ALL people with compassion, faith and excellence.’ In that same spirit, the city of North Charleston has built this world-class recreation area for the sake of ensuring ALL people, regardless of their ability, will have a place to play, learn and grow.”