Smiles in the Playground Project Leaps Closer to Reality
ASTON, Pa. — Aston Township announced today (July 1, 2019) that it will move forward with building an accessible and inclusive playground this year thanks in large part to a $300,000 funding commitment from Energy Transfer.
Aston Commissioner Carol Graham and her daughter Kit Spayd, the visionaries behind the Smiles in the Playground project, began this dream in 2006 with a goal of providing a handicap-accessible playground for children ages 1-12 in Aston Township. The theme of the park is to inspire children in the community to try things that they thought were outside of their range of capabilities and empower them to overcome obstacles.
Spayd stated, “Although we have received some donations and commitments from private residents, the cost related to developing and equipping the playground has been a huge hurdle.”
“We are truly grateful for the leadership and partnership that Energy Transfer has provided to make our handicap-accessible park a reality,” Aston Township Commission President Jim Stigale said. “The company that moves America’s energy is now energizing our kids to interact socially so that no one is left on the sidelines.”
Commissioner Carol Graham added, “I’m proud to see a private business such as Energy Transfer appreciate and invest in the communities that they are a part of every day. This is a wonderful example of a company being a great neighbor.”
Aston Township is working with its engineers and vendors to finalize the plans for the playground, which will be located at the Aston Community Center property. The township will provide more information on the development as plans move forward.
“All children deserve to experience the joy that a community playground brings and the friendships that are made,” said Joseph McGinn, Energy Transfer vice president of public affairs and government relations. “As a resident of Aston Township myself, I’m proud that Energy Transfer — which moves the energy products used to make playground equipment — has made this commitment that will enable the township to move ahead with this great initiative. The community will be able to enjoy this playground for generations to come.”
About Aston Township
Aston, PA was first settled in 1682 as a municipality and was incorporated as a township in 1688. In 1906 it became a first class township. Prior to 1687, Aston was known as Northley. Edward Carter, who was the constable of the township, changed the name from Northley to Aston in remembrance of his old home in Oxfordshire, England. Today, Aston covers approximately seven square miles, with a population of about 15,000. For more information on the Smiles in the Playground project, visit www.astontownship.net.
About Energy Transfer
Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET) owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States, with a strategic footprint in all of the major domestic production basins. ET is a publicly traded limited partnership with core operations that include complementary natural gas midstream, intrastate and interstate transportation and storage assets; crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and refined product transportation and terminalling assets; NGL fractionation; and various acquisition and marketing assets. ET, through its ownership of Energy Transfer Operating, L.P., also owns Lake Charles LNG Company, as well as the general partner interests, the incentive distribution rights and 28.5 million common units of Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN), and the general partner interests and 39.7 million common units of USA Compression Partners, LP (NYSE: USAC). For more information, visit the Energy Transfer website at www.energytransfer.com.
CLICK PHOTO/LINK TO VIEW LARGER/DETAILED PROPOSED POSTER OF SMILES IN THE PLAYGROUND