by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
The South Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of South Lake hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand-new inclusive playground at Lake Felter Park in Clermont on Monday, September 22nd.
The park, located at 1750 Johns Lake Road, is home to a variety of sports facilities, including basketball and tennis courts, a softball field and a reduced-size soccer field so the park was a perfect choice for the new playground addition. The playground is suitable for children of every age and ability, including special accessibility for wheelchairs.
The new playground, Lili’s Place, is named in honor of Lili Hangyas. Lili was a vibrant little girl who was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer at the tender age of seven. During her treatments, Lili recognized that children enduring cancer treatments battled their own fights and struggles. Lili wanted a place where children could come together and unite in their struggles.
Lili passed away on October 28, 2018, shortly after her 10th birthday. Determined to fulfill Lili’s dream, members of the Kiwanis Club of South Lake began organizing a plan to make a playground where any child, sick or healthy, could come and enjoy the company of other children and enjoy the outdoors.
Grants and donations from a variety of sources, including the City of Clermont, the Live Well Foundation of South Lake, Lake County, Florida Kiwanis Foundation and individual donations began coming together. After a lot of planning, coordinating, and Covid-related setbacks in 2020, the dream that Lili held near and dear to her heart came true.
Lili’s parents, Robert and Eszter Hangyas, were present when the beautiful park was unveiled for the first time. Lili would be super excited about the park, but she would be especially excited about the large, metal and colorful sculpture of the spectacular butterflies in-flight that stand in harmony with the entrance to the playground. Children with special needs were present to enjoy the new equipment alongside community representatives from the Kiwanis Club of South Lake, City of Clermont, the Live Well Foundation of South Lake, Lake County, and Florida Kiwanis Foundation.
Visit www.ClermontFL.gov for park hours and availability of facilities.
