Bowlers to Lace Up for Condon Park Fundraiser

Nearly 90 bowlers will lace up their shoes on June 26 to help raise money for a fully accessible playground at Condon Park as organizers try to raise enough money to pay for the equipment that could cost upward of $200,000.

Laurie Reisner, an organizer of the at , said she hopes to raise $10,000 at the event.

"The goal is as much as we can because the more money we can raise the more equipment we can put in," Reisner said in a phone interview this week.

While the event has filled 14 teams of six bowlers - each team is asked to raise $600 - supporters can join the fun with the purchase of a $25 ticket.

Tickets are still available for the event.

Evening festivities include:

• Comedian Paul Nardizzi
• A silent auction
• Raffle prizes
• Pizza and appetizers

Money raised will combine with the $150,000 Parks and Recreation received from the Mitigation Committee to go toward the construction of the playground.

While the Kings event is the only one planned so far, Reisner said the park has received corporate sponsorship support and other private donations.

Laurie's husband, Don Reisner, a former Parks and Recreation commissioner, has led the charge in researching other playgrounds and cost of new accessible equipment, which is much more expensive than non-handicap playground equipment.

The park would be the only one in Dedham, and one of just a few in the region, commissioners have said.

But to Laurie Reisner the lasting purpose of the new Condon Park won't be just that it serves children with physical disabilities.

"Now children with and without disabilities have a place to come together, so a lot of people are in support of it," Reisner said. "Kids are kids whether you are a kid that needs a walker or a kid that is in a wheelchair, you're a kid. And kids should be able to play together."