CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- A gift from an electric cooperative has pushed a local all-abilities play space project forward.

Bennett’s Village says it received $25,000 from the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, which means it has surpassed $300,000 of the $500,000 it needs for Phase One of the five-phase project.

According to a release, Phase One includes an accessible treehouse with electricity to support medical equipment and communication needs of community members as well as an accessible path to allow people with wheelchairs, walkers and strollers to access the woods below the treehouse.

“These funds will be used to directly support the construction of our accessible Treehouse, set to break ground in Spring of 2024,” said Bennett’s Village President Kara McClurken. “The treehouse will be constructed behind the existing playground and extend into the tree canopy so people of all abilities can experience truly being surrounded by nature. We are grateful for ODEC’s commitment to inclusive play for all our community and the many donors who have gotten us to over 60 percent of our fundraising goal for Phase One.”

Later phases of the project will include a parkour track, accessible swings and merry-go-rounds, a splash pad, sensory gardens and nature play, areas for hide-and-seek, seating for all body types, gender-inclusive bathrooms, and more.

ODEC is an electric generation and transmission cooperative that provides wholesale power to 11 electric cooperatives in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.

Floyd Lively, the plant manager at the Louisa Generation Facility, brought the need for this kind of playspace to the company, resulting in the gift that will help his grandson.

“My favorite part about working for ODEC in my current position is the pride I get by being a representative of a company that has our local communities' best interest at heart,” he said.

For more information on Bennett’s Village, click here.