SPECIAL GIFT — A $25,000 donation from the Steubenville Woman’s Club jump-started the fundraising campaign for a new inclusive playground at Jim Wood Park. The JeffCo Services Inc. Board, a non-profit that formerly operated a workshop and training center for individuals with special needs, has pledged to match up to $250,000 in community donations to the playground — a partnership between the city, its park and recreation board and the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities. -- Linda Harris

STEUBENVILLE — The 126-year-old Steubenville Woman’s Club may have dissolved, but its members didn’t ride quietly into the sunset.

Before shutting down, the club gave the city’s ‘Inclusive Park’ project a $25,000 check, triggering a matching $25,000 donation from the JeffCo Services Inc. Board — the private, non-profit organization that at one time had operated the JeffCo Workshop and JeffCo Training Center for the county’s Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Federal policy changes had forced JCBDD to privatize the training services seven years ago, but the non-profit board had banked “a big pot of money” and opted to remain viable so it could continue to impact the county’s special needs population.

JeffCo Services has pledged a dollar-for-dollar match for the first $250,000 in community donations to the park, a “one-of-a-kind playground” where kids and adults of all abilities will be able to rub elbows. The project partners — the city of Steubenville, the city’s Parks and Recreation Board and the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities — need every bit of that and more to pay for it.

“It’s going to be a special place, especially with the shelter, the gazebo, splash pad and the track that are already there,” JCBDD Superintendent Mike Zinno said. “It will be a wonderful space — not just for student growth, but for our region.”

The inclusive playground will be built in the green space inside the existing track so adults can walk or run around the perimeter while kids play within its confine.

The idea, Zinno said, is to create a welcoming space where park-goers can “play, connect and thrive together,” regardless of their abilities.

Designed with inclusion in mind, he said playground will “create opportunities for families across our region to enjoy a truly accessible recreational destination.”

Steubenville Councilman Tracy McManamon said it’s “huge” for the community.

“We’ve gotten so many positive comments and we just launched the fundraising campaign last week,” he said. “People are tremendously excited. They see it as something this area definitely needs. And we want to make sure we support our special friends who don’t have access to something like this, they deserve it.”

McManamon said an application for what could be a “substantial state grant” will be submitted today.

“We did meet with the governor (several months ago) and presented three options,” he said. “Before we even finished our presentation, [Gov. Mike DeWine] said, ‘This is what I want you to focus on. This has to be your No. 1 project’.”

McManamon said the new park will have activities for all ages, abilities and needs, including a quiet space to calm those overwhelmed by the noise and activity

“And for the physically challenged, there will be all kinds of slides, gliders and zip lines so they can race their friends, neighbors and family, side-by-side,” he said.

Zino pointed out the Woman’s Club’s hefty contribution “wasn’t donated to our program, it was donated to the community playground that we want to see built.”

“It’s a big deal for our entire community and region – this is a playground like no one has seen in our area,” he said. “It’s going to allow all ages and all abilities to play side-by-side together and it will make it a destination for our entire region not just the people of Steubenville.”

He said they’re going to be reaching out to individuals, clubs and organizations throughout the region to help them reach the $2 million fundraising goal, though he admits it’s a “big ask.”

“There’s going to be a lot of work trying to raise these funds,” he said.

Donations are tax deductible, and checks should be payable to the JeffCo Services Board.

“We’re going to ask (everybody) to participate – not just in Steubenville, but region-wide in West Virginia and other counties around us,” Zinno said. “It’s doable, I know we can do it — but it’s going to take a lot of work.”

The Steubenville Woman’s Club, meanwhile, didn’t confine its generosity to the inclusive park project. The organization had $155,500 banked before it’s dissolution and chose to distribute to various endeavors throughout the community, including $20,000 to the Ohio Valley Youth Network Sycamore Center (providing area youth with learning and afterschool programs and activities), $20,000 to the Fort Steuben Visitor Center, $17,000 to AIM (pregnancy center and home) and $12,000 to the Jefferson County Historical Association. The group also donated $10,000 each to the Ohio Valley Health Center, United Way of Jefferson County’s Meals of Hope and LAWS (community programs), as well as $7,500 each to the Homeward Bound of Steubenville (serving those experiencing homelessness), St Paul Center (study Bibles for clergy) and Little Branches (children’s mental health), $5,000 to JCDDS Special Connections (family support) and two $1,000 scholarships at both Steubenville High School and Catholic Central.

“In many cases, it’s seed money,” said Kimberly Hahn, who had been a member of the club. “Like with the playground, we donated $25,000 that JeffCo matched and because it was designated for the playground and not just one piece of equipment — it can be used for any grants that have a local match.”

Hahn sees it as a fitting end for the club.

“It’s hard, but I think it’s important to realize when an organization has fulfilled its mission, there are other ways the women who belonged to that organization can serve their community,” she said. “Our club has had hundreds of members over our 126-year history.

“It is with enormous gratitude for all those women who for generations contributed to the various needs of our community that we have distributed our assets. It is also with sadness that we recognize the conclusion of our club.”