TAKOMA, WA - Jennifer Flint-Nelson refused to let her dream of building a playground designed for her son and other children with special needs slip away.

A year ago, the Gig Harbor mother was one of 20 finalists in a national essay contest that would have given such a play area to her community. The competition started with almost 1,000 entries.

Flint-Nelson, 39, came close to winning the grand prize, placing in the top five. A girl from Claridge, Penn., ended up winning the playground for her school.

Parents who lack Flint-Nelson’s determination might have given up. Not her.

She wouldn’t quit as long as Ian – her 6-year-old son who has cerebral palsy and autism – didn’t have a play area that met his needs. He’s a kindergartner at Purdy Elementary.

“I couldn’t let it go,” she said. “I knew we had to make it happen.”

Read more about the story here.

Other tidbits from the article.

• Flint-Nelson teamed with the PenMet Foundation, the fundraising arm of the community’s park district.
• Together, they need to raise $200,000 by September to get the Boundless Playground. (There's a drawing of the planned playground here.)
• Traditional playgrounds often provide wheelchair ramps, but special-needs children can’t enjoy them to their fullest. “A traditional playground makes it very difficult for them to partner with their peers,” said Julie Ann Gustanski, president of PenMet Foundation.
• Flint-Nelson said she’s confident the group can raise the money. The amount of support she got during her competition proved that it’s a worthwhile cause.