A ribbon-cutting ceremony held Wednesday at 11 a.m. celebrated the official opening of a new all-inclusive playground section in Highland Park, a project spearheaded by the Meridian First Ladies Civitan Club.

The playground, funded by the club’s annual pecan fundraiser, is designed to offer a welcoming space for children of all abilities.

The new playground features a variety of inclusive equipment, including a tic-tac-toe game, swings, and a level playing area tailored for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Kimberly Houston, President of the Meridian First Ladies Civitan Club, expressed her excitement about the project.

“This corner of Highland Park right here in the playground, is committed to and dedicated to those individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, and we wanted to make sure that they understand that they matter. We see them, and we want to be part of the change to make sure that they’re included,” said Houston. 

The First Ladies Civitan Club also focuses on raising awareness and funds for local scholarships, and they hope to include a scholarship for special education majors next year.

The annual pecan fundraiser, which kicks off in October, is essential for sustaining these initiatives and supporting future educators in this field.

In addition to its community efforts, the Civitan Club is actively seeking new members, now welcoming males to join in supporting local service projects.

Houston encourages anyone interested in making a positive impact in the community to consider becoming a member.