A groundbreaking ceremony for a new sensory playground was held Thursday morning in Fulton.

The members of the Callaway County Chamber of Commerce, Callaway Leadership Cohortplayground sponsors and community members were in attendance.

The new sensory playground was a multi-year project of the Leadership Callaway cohort.

Leadership Callaway is a training program for future community leaders that introduces them to community opportunities and challenges.

Members of this year’s class include Collin Clement, Amanda Stoddard, Jennifer Delashmutt, Mary Quartemont, Trish Case, Brad Leuther, Carly Baumhoer, Danny Slizewski and Ashley Morland.

This year’s program class chose a sensory playground as a community project to provide families with a safe and inclusive place to play.

“So we wanted a sensory park that would benefit children or families with children with special needs,” said Collin Clement, a member of the Leadership Callaway cohort. “So it integrates several senses like sight, smell, touch and sensation,” he added.

Over the course of the ten month program, the class was able to raise over $40,000 towards the construction of the new playground.

The largest donation, totaling $15,000, came from Callaway County Special Services.

It will include sensory factors that enhance visual, tactile and auditory engagement.

Provide a space for all children to experience sensory-rich activities that contribute to cognitive and social development.

The playground will be located at Memorial Park in Fulton, right next to the current splash pad.

Construction is expected to begin the week of November 4 and will be completed in the following weeks as parts arrive and weather permits.