On June 25, 2012 surrounded by kids and youth, the representatives of the Local Authorities in Gdynia, Lions from Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia, and parents and teachers, the official opening of playground for residents of the Special Educational Center no. 1 in Gdynia – Obłuże took place.

At present 120 residents aged from 7 to 25 are studying and being rehabilitated in the Center. All the residents are mentally and physically disabled with mixed level of ability. Classes are conducted in groups at the following levels: preschool, elementary school and vocational courses, aimed at gaining skills useful in adult life.
The Center was not able to develop the area around the building and build a playground without any help from outside. The playground would help rehabilitate the residents outdoors in Spring, Summer and Fall. It would improve the residents’ physical ability (the residents are mainly indigent and cannot afford rehabilitation outside the Center) and serve the local kids and youth on weekends.
LC Gdańsk Amber initiated the playground development. All the local Lions Clubs and their friends joined in to raise the funds.
The project was supported by The Lions Clubs International Fund. The cost of construction and equipment was 50 thou. PLN.
The playground was opened. After the symbolic ribbon cutting, the present Lions planted trees around the playground and the youth residents from the Center gave a fantastic performance of ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
The Lions promised to continue cooperation with the Center and develop more facilities in the area surrounding the Center – football field as well as handball and baseball courts are very much in need.