'Tread Town' No. 7 opens in Wash.

PASCO, Wash. (Oct. 4, 2013) — American Tire Distributors Holdings Inc.'s (ATD) Tire Pros franchise unit has opened a "Tread Town" accessible playground in Pasco, supported by local Tire Pros affiliate Tri-Cities Battery Inc. and Boundless Playgrounds, which designed the park.

The "Tread Town" playground in Pasco is the seventh Boundless Playground park—designed to allow children with and without disabilities to play together—that ATD/Tire Pros has opened in partnership with its franchisees. It also recently opened one in Massillon, Ohio, in partnership with Discount Tire Outlet in Massillon.

The Tire Pros-sponsored Tread Town parks take the Boundless Playground design one step further, using recycled rubber from approximately 400 scrapped tires for the foundation for each playground. This type foundation creates a universally accessible surface that allows children and caregivers with and without disabilities to navigate freely and safely, ATD said.

Tread Towns also feature a specially designed tire swing with state-of-the art solid harnesses for children who need additional back support, along with other cutting-edge fitness and educational-based activities.

Tri-Cities Battery operates Tire Pros outlets in Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. Founded in 1971 by Dale Johnson, the business is run today by Gerald and Pat Johnson (second generation) and their sons Brandon, Derek and Adam (third generation), according to the dealership's website.

ATD/Tire Pros and Tri-Cities held a grand opening for the Tread Town in Pasco's Memorial Park on Sept. 25.

The other Tread Towns are located in Lakewood, Calif.; Jackson, Miss.; Savannah, Ga.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Huntersville, N.C., where ATD is based. The distributor put its investment in the two playgrounds at $100,000, with local partners contributing as well.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are nearly 7 million children nationwide who have a disability that prohibits them from enjoying the full experience of a traditional community playground, ATD said.

"Tread Town playgrounds provide safe, positive places for all children to play, learn and thrive," said Dan Brown, president of Tire Pros.

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