Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Inclusive 'Never Say Never Playland' set to open in Delavan

DELAVAN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A new, inclusive playground in Walworth County has just been completed. Now, people of all ages and abilities can come and play.

It took just a week to build, but it was a 10-year journey to make it a reality, and its existence is all thanks to this week's everyday hero who never said never. 

"You got one, two, and then three and four," a volunteer shouted out, as they attached a new piece of the playground.

It takes a lot of teamwork and know-how to build a 13,000-square-foot playground. 

It also takes a lot of people. 

"Right now, we're at about a thousand volunteers," said Dusti Grenus.

A thousand people coming together to create Never Say Never Playland. 

But it started as the dream of just one. 

"My daughter. She's my reason behind all of this," Grenus said.

Grenus wanted a playground where her daughter, Kameron, could play. 

"She can't swing at a regular swing. She can't walk through the wood chips or the gravel. She can't climb the stairs," she explained.

When there wasn't one close by, she decided to build one. 

"It's a surreal feeling to finally see it coming together," she said, looking out at all the volunteers hard at work.

That was 10 years ago. Dusti's mom, Diane, gets emotional thinking about the journey.

"Choked up! Yes, definitely," she said. "It's been a long 10 years. We've worked very hard."

They started Never Say Never and raised $750,000 to build the project. They also finally found a home for the playland in Delavan, at Gordon Yadon Park. 

"She's a lot like me, she's persistent," said Delavan Mayor Ryan Schroeder.

Schroeder got on board in August of 2023, bringing Parks and Recreation Director Tom Klug on board.

"You see all the love and support that she gets for the project, and you want to pour that same love and support into the project," Klug said.

And that's what this labor of love is about -- creating a supportive space for everyone. 

"Now you can roll in with your wheelchair into the merry-go-round, clip in and you're free," Diane Grenus said.

"And for some, it'll be the first time they've done any of this," Dusti added.

All because Grenus never said never.

"We've been breathing, eating, sleeping playground, so it's going to be a very teary day when we cut the ribbon," Diane Grenus said.

Never Say Never Playland has wheelchair swings, a merry-go-round and even a zip line. It's a cushioned play surface with no stairs. So, everyone can go right to the top.

The playland is not yet open to the public. A date for the ribbon cutting will be announced soon. Grenus says her daughter Kameron is very excited to check it out.

You can find out more about the new playground by clicking here. 

If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].