Modern Woodmen Park Ferris wheel to set a national standard for accessibility
DAVENPORT, Iowa (March 26, 2015) - The City of Davenport, Genesis and the River Bandits will set a new standard for accessibility by partnering to install a gondola which will accommodate wheelchairs on the Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park.
Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba, members of the City Council, City Administrator Craig Malin, Genesis Health System Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Advocacy, Ken Croken, and River Bandits general manager Andrew Chesser made the partnership announcement at a press conference Thursday at Modern Woodmen Park.
"Modern Woodmen Park has been named the best park in all of minor league baseball. We want everyone to fully experience everything the park has to offer,'' Gluba said. "This announcement is possible today because of a private-public partnership between the River Bandits ownership, Genesis and the city.''
"Everyone should be able to enjoy one of the best attractions the Quad Cities has to offer,'' says Ken Croken, vice president of corporate communications, Genesis Health System. "Genesis Health System has one of the largest physical medicine and rehabilitation departments in Iowa and when we think in terms of the needs of our patients, this is a priority.''
The City of Davenport has contracted with McClure Engineering to design an accessible gondola, dedicated for use by two wheelchairs to enjoy a comfortable ride on the 105-foot Ferris wheel that opened in 2014 at Modern Woodmen Park.
"We at the River Bandits love to break new ground and set new and higher standards, and that's exactly what we are doing here," says River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "Together in partnership with Genesis Health System and the City of Davenport, we are setting a new standard for accessibility to a Ferris wheel nationally. People with disabilities in the Quad Cities will be able to access our Ferris wheel more easily and more comfortably than people anywhere in the nation. Working with our good friends at Genesis and the City of Davenport, we are all joining forces to bring the joys of baseball, amusement rides and memorable, family-friendly recreation and entertainment to everyone in the Quad Cities community."
The Ferris wheel is scheduled to re-open for 2015 in May.
UP NEXT: Save money and enjoy exclusive benefits as a ticket plan holder for the 2015 River Bandits season at Modern Woodmen Park. With a ticket plan of 12 to 70 games, receive free parking, merchandise discounts, guaranteed giveaways and more. Call 563-324-3000 to speak with a River Bandits account representative and lock in seats for the upcoming season.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop'N Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened.
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