Columbia invests $230K in all-inclusive playground at Maury County Park

COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Columbia City Council has approved $230,000 for an all-inclusive playground at Maury County Park, helping advance a $1 million project designed to give children of all abilities a place to play together.

The playground will be named Taye’s Place in honor of Taye Ramer, the nephew of Miracle League of Columbia’s founder and president Robin Estep. It will be built next to the organization’s baseball field, which is under construction at the former Babe Ruth Field site.

Estep credited her nephew with inspiring the organization’s work.

“Without him, there wouldn’t be a Miracle League of Columbia,” Estep said. “He brings such joy to everyone around him, and it’s so fitting that this playground be named in his honor.”

The project is a partnership between the Miracle League and Maury County Parks. Designed by Minnesota-based Landscape Structures, the playground will feature accessible equipment intended for children of different ages and abilities. During the meeting, City Councilmember Cheryl Secrest shared why the Miracle League’s work is meaningful to her. She said she’d volunteered at games and attended many others, reflecting on how the opportunity would have affected her own family.

“I did have a son who had cerebral palsy, and he passed in 2016. But if he had stillWith additional donations still needed to complete Taye’s Place, Secrest encouraged organizations and community members to contribute, with donors able to have their names displayed on the equipment or upgrades they fund.

Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder said the city’s contribution reflects its commitment to expanding access to recreation.

“Every child deserves a place where they feel included and can enjoy the simple joys of childhood,” Molder said.The city said its $230,000 contribution matches the amount Maury County has committed to the project.

For more information about the project and ways to support it, visit the Miracle League of Columbia’s website.

been here, we would’ve definitely been out there on that field,” Secrest expressed.