Brook Park names Kennedy Park playground for Cooper Foundation after $25,000 donation

Brook Park council voted June 17 to name the new, Americans with Disabilities Act‑compliant playground at Kennedy Park for the Cooper Foundation, formalizing a dedication the administration said will be followed by a public presentation.

The mayor told council that the Cooper Foundation contributed $25,000 toward the project and that the playground includes accessible features and two zip lines — one with a handle and another that accommodates a mobility chair so children who cannot walk can use it. "Cooper Foundation had donated $25,000 to this project," Mayor Edward A. Orcutt said during council remarks.

Craig Cooper, who founded the Cooper Foundation with his wife Christine to support children and young adults with disabilities, thanked the city and described the group's grassroots work. "We go about it as we try to do real world needs," Cooper said, adding the foundation focuses on therapy, equipment and small direct needs for families. Council, the mayor said, will hold a formal dedication ceremony and present a sign at a later date.

Why it matters: the new playground replaces older equipment and aims to broaden accessibility on the city's main campus. The dedication builds on collaborative fundraising and county and city coordination that leaders said spanned several years.

Action: council adopted Resolution No. 16‑2025 (naming/ dedication). The administration said a formal presentation — with county officials and foundation representatives — will be scheduled and announced after the council vote.