Twenty years of this
Built by this community, for its kids.
Four play spaces: two playgrounds in the park, one indoors, and a water feature at the pool. Built by Washington Township, part-funded by us — a hundred thousand dollars raised and handed over, one night a year at a time.
$100,000
given to this township
4
play spaces we helped fund
333
first performances honoured
13
annual galas since 2010
What we help build
Things you can walk to and stand in
Washington Township builds and runs these places. We raise the money and hand it over, and the Township does the rest — some of these projects are far bigger than we could ever have funded on our own.
Countryside Park · opened 26 October 2013
Butterfly Meadow
A spider-web structure to climb and ladybirds for smaller children, plus a toddler area with a bridge, a slide and springy poles for practising balance. Accessible, and free to anyone.
It takes its name from a butterfly Yukta drew, titled in her own handwriting.
Countryside Park · opened 26 October 2013
Nature Sounds
The only sound playground in the area: a stage ringed by outdoor instruments — a xylophone, five hand drums, and chimes nine feet tall — with concrete seating so parents can watch.
The Swirl, the sculptural chime in the foreground, was added in 2014.
RecPlex West · opened 3 March 2019
Yukta’s Garden
An indoor playground, open whatever the weather — and since then the home of countless birthday parties.
The plaque by the door tells Yukta’s story to everyone who comes to play.
The RecPlex pool · opened 22 October 2022
An interactive water feature
Built by the Township with funding from the Foundation, so that children of every ability can use the pool. Families from the Special Wish Foundation had the first swim.
The giving record
$100,000, handed over in person
What the Gala raises is presented to the Washington Township Trustees at a public Board meeting, for children’s recreation. On 1 June 2026 the running total reached $100,000.
One night a year
The Bollywood Gala is how all of this got paid for
Music, dance and a room full of neighbours. Performers give their time, local businesses sponsor the evening, and the people who come give what they can. Every dollar of it goes into this township.
It began in 2007 as a concert series with visiting artists from India — Sanjeevani, then Udit and Aditya Narayan, and Kavita Krishnamurty and Suresh Wadkar in 2010. Since 2011 the stage has belonged to our own community.
It is free. Anyone can come — you do not need a ticket or an invitation.
The 13th annual Bollywood Gala — Melody Memories — Washington Township RecPlex, March 15, 2026.
The 19th Yukta Garg New Talent Awards, 2025 — presented with the India Club of Greater Dayton.
New Talent Awards
A first performance, at the age she was
The Yukta Garg New Talent Award goes to children up to six years old — the age Yukta was — who have performed for the first time that year at a cultural event of the India Club of Greater Dayton.
They are presented each year at the Club’s Diwali celebration. Instituted in 2006, they have recognised the artistic beginnings of 333 young performers — and the twentieth ceremony comes this November.
Twenty years in this township
Ribbon cuttings, butterflies and a lot of cold October mornings
Butterfly Meadow dedication, Countryside Park, 26 October 2013.
Give
Every dollar goes into the ground here
We are all volunteers. There is no payroll, no office, no overhead to feed.
Sponsor
Or put your business behind it
Sponsors underwrite the Gala so the evening can stay free for everyone who wants to come.