(Photo Provided) Numerous representatives of the family, the city of Belpre and the Belpre Community Foundation, the Haddie Fund and the Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Saturday for the inclusive playground at Civitan Park.

BELPRE — A ribbon cutting was held Saturday at the inclusive playground at Civitan Park.

The playground, an accessible play structure designed to include children of all abilities, is dedicated to the memory of Hadassah “Haddie” Marie Williams.

The structure is located in the main part of the Blennerhassett Avenue park recreation and picnic area.

Travis Williams, her father, was the chief organizer with the Haddie Fund.

“We believe part of our job is to bring a little bit of heaven down to earth, and we hope that this playground can be a little bit of that for our community and kids,” he said.

Participating in the ribbon cutting were representatives of the Haddie Fund family, friends and the city of Belpre.

Haddie was born in 2013 with many challenges beginning with a fetal surgery for sacrococcygeal teratoma, which caused a grade 4 brain bleed and an eventual seizure disorder, her mother, Kate Williams, said.

Haddie was able to later attend Belpre Elementary School and participate in many activities with other children “in her own unique way,” Kate said.

Following Haddie’s death in 2018, Belpre Church of Christ matched donations made in her memory and the Haddie Fund was created.

Kate said the fund “exists to bless and equip children and families in the Mid-Ohio Valley dealing with medical handicaps.”

Travis thanked local organizations that joined in funding the structure, the Belpre Area Community Development Foundation for major funding and the Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities for funding musical sensory pieces.D

During the dedication, Bodega provided coffee and Kona Ice provided hot chocolate to attendees. Steven Givens Music provided entertainment.

Mayor Susan Abdella also thanked the community for its support of the playground construction and its enhancement of the park’s service to the community.

Karen Waller, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, organized the ribbon-cutting to officially open the structure to the many children in attendance and to all area children.

According to Haddie Fund guidelines for assistance to individuals and families, applications for durable medical equipment such as braces, seating, standers and switches, will be considered. The child, parent, guardian or a professional such as a doctor, therapist and teacher may apply.

Applications are due by March 24, June 24, Sept. 24 and Dec. 24 and must include a letter of need or referral written by the professional associated with the applicant. Information is available at http://www.belprechurch.com/haddie.