In a significant investment toward creating an accessible space for children with varying abilities, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners has unlocked $2.18 million for the Diamond of Dreams project. This initiative, showcased in a meeting last Tuesday, will see the development of an inclusive park catered to children with intellectual and physical disabilities, as reported by the county's official website.

The project, aiming to facilitate equal opportunities for play and social interaction, will feature a bespoke baseball field designed for wheelchair users, complete with accessible dugouts and a press box. The approved funds will also secure family seating, ADA-compliant parking and restroom facilities, and a playground that accommodates wheelchairs, the Board announced in a presentation before giving the green light.

Financing for Diamond of Dreams emanates from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a financial relief measure responding to the economic and health effects of the pandemic. St. Johns County has been allocated over $51 million through this federal program, with a clear stipulation that a portion of these funds may be channeled into capital projects regarded as "lost revenue" opportunities. St. Johns County is faced with a December 31, deadline for the commitment of ARPA funds, the county's official website indicated.

Prior allocations of the county's ARPA funds have been diverse, extending to projects like the Hastings Vocational School, enhancements to water and sewer infrastructures, and the establishment of the West Augustine Medical Facility.