Kiwanis Donates $10K to Courtney's SandCastle

The San Clemente Kiwanis Club this summer donated $10,000 to help finish the second phase of the Courtney's SandCastle all-access playground at the Vista Hermosa Sports Park.

The club raised the money by participating in a fundraising event called “Dancing for a Cause,” Kiwanis Member Alan Anderson said in an email.

Anderson was chosen by the club to dance in the competition, and was matched up with a professional dancer to compete against five other competitors from different organizations.

Each organization chose their own cause to support, and the Kiwanis Club chose Courtney’s Sandcastle. They raised money via silent auctions and by pledging money to support Anderson in the dance contest.

Phase I of the project was paid for by the city and was rolled into the construction of the new La Pata-Vista Hermosa sports park. That phase added play structures such as a giant outdoor xylophone and a sandbox.

Phase II will include water attractions and a “sensory garden,” a fountain composed of a large granite ball with water flowing over it that children can touch, and a fountain with different buttons and switches that activate various patterns of spray.

The plans also include an artificial tide pool under a large shade structure to house the replica tide pool’s flora and fauna. Kids will be able to hit switches that will control the water levels.

All these features are designed to stimulate children with different disabilities—from blindness to autism—and also to excite their able-bodied friends who play alongside them.

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