Playground and Splash Pad Update

We recently broke ground on phase 1 (the playground) of the Hays Accessible Recreation Complex (Hays ARC Park) and it will be completed prior to Summer 2021.

We are now working toward building phase 2 (the splashpad). We are very close to being able to order equipment but we need your help. Your donation today will get us closer to our goal of also building the splash pad by the middle of next summer. We would love for you to partner with us!

What is the Hays Accessible Recreation Complex (Hays ARC Park)?

The Accessible Recreation Complex will provide safe, boundless play opportunities for individuals of all ages and all abilities in one accessible spot. The complex will include a fully accessible playground for limitless play, an all-ability turf baseball field, and a fully accessible recirculated splash pad. It will create opportunities for collaborative play and social interaction for children of all abilities, promoting inclusion in our community, creating a destination showpiece, and filling a need not currently met. Outdoor play stimulates speech, cognition, gross motor skills, fine motor skills and social skills more efficiently than any other method of instruction. The play space also will promote self-empowerment and imaginative play for all kids.

There are an estimated 1,400 children and adults with disabilities in our area. The complex would also draw families from surrounding towns, any wheelchair user, children with undocumented disabilities, families traveling through Hays, and ALL other children. All three plays spaces are greatly needed!

Funds for the ARC Park, as well as the design and project work, are overseen by local special needs parents and directors at The Arc of Central Plains.

The Arc of Central Plains (Hays ARC Park)

Active campaigns

2025 Lemonade Stand Challenge

Hays ARC Park Baseball Field

Past campaigns

Lemonade Stand Challenge 2023

2021 Hays ARC Park Giving Tuesday

Hays ARC Park Giving Tuesday