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Service club partners with Village of Bluffton and Bluffton Soccer Club

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Legacy Park, a new youth soccer facility under development on Snider Rd., has been designed to consolidate U8-U12 team activities in one location. But soccer players aren't the only ones who will benefit from the park. The park will provide additional facilities for the enjoyment and comfort of all during soccer games and throughout the year.

Three phases of development will create a Village of Bluffton park with 

• Seven soccer fields for Bluffton Soccer Club use
• A shelter house with toilet facilities and concession stand
• A walking path encircling the park
• An intergenerational, all-abilities playground

This last feature is being created in partnership with the Bluffton Lions Club. Lions President Jackie Bourassa gets the ball rolling with, “The Village approached the Lions Club and we’re very thankful they did.” It turns out that the Bluffton Lions have experience with playground projects. They worked with other Lions Clubs to create the Marimor all-abilities playground, which is 15 miles from Bluffton.

Bourassa emphasizes that this new playground “needs to be more than what we already have” at Buckeye Lake or Village Park.” It will be a place where all children and people of all abilities can play and interact. The concept under development has been described as 'building joy together.'"

Preliminary design selections include big and small towers with shade structures. The ground covering will be a low profile artificial turf that is compatible with wheel chairs and walkers, as well as with soccer cleats. Activity panels will use a variety of skills and include a musical component. Several types of swings will be provided including a platform swing (not pictured). A merry-go-round will be flush with the ground. A glider is wheelchair accessible.

Bourassa notes that the vendor has provided a lot of thought and research in developing a playground where participants can play, learn, grow and thrive in one space. Sensory and communication differences as well as physical abilities are being considered. This design shown here is close to a final version.

Some $138K in donations and pledges towards a $300K fundraising goal has been raised since January 2025. The Village of Bluffton will provide the ground covering and installation, a financial partnership similar to Bluffton’s pathway projects. The Bluffton Lions will be raising funds this year and next, with construction expected to begin in 2027.

Donors providing $50K or more will be designated as Legacy Partners. Donations of over $1K will be recognized on a sign. The Bluffton Lions Club is a 501(c)(3) organization and will provide receipts for tax deductions. Bourassa is available to make presentations to groups including employers that match deductions.

Donations can be made on the Zeffy platform HERE, without a service fee. For additional information, contact Bourassa at [email protected].