by Dennis Dalman
The Inclusive Playground at Lions Community Park in Sartell is urgently in need of an all-inclusive bathroom and shelter structure, and that is why the Lions are accelerating a fundraising campaign.
Their goal is to raise $150,000, and so far the three Lions clubs have raised about two-thirds of that amount.
The historic all-inclusive playground – the only one in central Minnesota – was completed as a Lions-funded project in 2023 with help from the City of Sartell and the school district. The playground is very popular for all children, including those who happen to have physical disabilities.
What’s needed now are restroom facilities (including an adult changing table) that would comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act and a picnic shelter with two picnic tables large enough to accommodate children who must use wheelchairs.
The current “bathroom” is nothing but a rather crude porta-potty located quite a distance from the playground. The bathroom/shelter proposal received a big boost from the LeSauk Lions Club, which had also pitched in to install the all-inclusive playground, as did the St. Stephen Lions Club. Last year, LeSauk Township had set aside $30,000 to build another park in the township, but when those plans fell through, they wondered how to repurpose those funds. Then, in April 2025, residents at a township-board meeting voted to spend the entire $30,000 for the bathroom-shelter project in the Sartell park.
Highly lauded project
Sartell Parks Supervisor Tony Krueger lauds the Lions for their project plans. He recently released the following statement:
“What the combined Sartell, St. Stephen and LeSauk Lions’ clubs have accomplished in their collaborative efforts at Lions Park in Sartell is absolutely amazing. The upgrades to the playground are wonderful in and of themselves, but the truly heartwarming aspect of it is that it showcases the power that inclusion has to improve the community for everyone. The playground upgrades and natural beauty of the park have created a regional destination for families and groups of all varieties.
“The increasing popularity of the park has highlighted the need for a safe, clean bathroom space to complement the other improvements. The City of Sartell is excited to continue its collaboration with the Sartell, St. Stephen and LeSauk Lions in helping this vision come to life.”
Another recommendation came from WACOSA, an organization that has served people with disabilities in central Minnesota for more than 60 years.
“The absence of inclusive facilities impacts individuals’ ability to participate in community life,” said Meghan Hines, WACOSA’s development manager. “A full-sized adult changing table and accessible picnic seating become actual matters of dignity, safety and equity.”
The three Lions clubs (Sartell, Le Sauk, St. Stephen) are hoping the improvements can be realized and functional by September 2026. But that will depend upon adequate funding. So far, they have reached about two-thirds of the estimated $150,000 project cost. The Lions have worked hard to raise funding, including more than 20 presentations held this past summer and fall. And the Lions have repeatedly expressed gratitude and thanks for generous fund donations.
The final design for the project’s amenities will have to pass review by the parents of children with mobility issues, an effort to be coordinated by Michelle Schluender, a physical therapist for the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.
Sartell Lions Club President Stu Giffin emphasized the project will allow for assistance in the restroom, improve hygiene, provide drinking-water access, improve protection from the sun and also enhance safety, which is now a risk at the smallish porta-potty in the parking lot.
“It is difficult to imagine a more fitting project to support community inclusion,” Giffin said.
Lions member Phil Ringstrom said the bathroom/shelter project has become a labor of love for all Lions members.
“This (project) is kind of our heart,” he said. “It’s the pulse of our club.”
Background
Lions Community Park traces its roots back to 2005. It began in a wooded area right across Pinecone Road from Sartell City Hall. It began with installation of a trail for the blind, an inspiration by Lions Club Chairperson Mike DeLuca. It was a team effort from the start.
“In the beginning,” DeLuca said, “we had 19 Lions clubs in the area donate money, and then another 14 Lions clubs came in and helped us do work in-kind.”
How to donate
There are several ways to donate to the proposed project.
The Waters Church in Sartell has agreed to become a fiscal agent for the project, as it did for the playground project in 2022. To make a tax-deducible donation via check, send a check payable to “The Waters Church” with “Sartell Lions Restroom” written on the memo line of the check. Send the check to The Waters Church, 1227 Pinecone Road N., Sartell, MN 56377.
One can also donate via GoFundMe online at the following website address: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sartell-inclusive-playgroundada-restroom-and-shelter.
If anyone has questions or suggestions, contact Lions member Stu Giffin at 651-261-4272 or email him at stuart.giffin52@gmail.com.
This shelter in Sartell’s Watab Park will resemble a shelter planned for the All-Inclusive Playground area at Sartell Lions Community Park.
