By Ali Orme
Miracle Point Playground Board
Miracle Point Playground is breaking ground. After three years of fundraising and planning, the kids in Pendleton and surrounding counties will finally receive the gift of play--the gift of safe, inclusive, wheelchair-accessible play. Construction of Miracle Point Playground at 97 Bowen Supply Way at the Pendleton County Athletic Park in Falmouth is set to begin in June.
On Sunday, May 9th, the Miracle Point Playground Board will hold their official groundbreaking ceremony.
“We thought it was most appropriate to officially break ground on Mother’s Day because of how the idea for the playground started. A group of moms of kids with special needs here in Pendleton County were discussing the lack of a safe and inclusive playground in our county. After a short discussion we said ‘Let’s do it!’ None of us had any idea where to begin, much less how to actually build a playground. What we did know is we would need support and money to make this happen. We formed our board in March 2018 and started fundraising before we had blueprints or a vendor. That support came in a huge way,” said Jennifer Delaney-Hartzel, board chair.
“Despite all the hurdles, setbacks, a pandemic, and a three-year process, the most important message we want to get out to the community is that this was, and always will be, a community playground. Our community raised the money for this playground. Our community did what it took to make this happen,” said Casey Wood-Croley, board member. “Whether it was a $5 donation, a $1,000 donation, prayers of support, or spreading information about our mission, without our community, we would not have a playground this summer.”
The Pendleton County community will also be responsible for physically building Miracle Point.
“We have chosen for the building process to be a community build. We want as many people who have an interest in this playground to be able to participate as possible. The site manager will be directing local volunteers to complete the build, from excavation to the last bolt. We are all about keeping this local,” said Delaney-Hartzel. “We know there are a lot of people who are eager to help and because we only have the ability to use a limited number of people when we complete the actual build, we want to make sure our community will still be involved. We are planning for the grand opening event to take place on Saturday, June 19, 2021, during the Pendleton Outdoor Palooza, weather permitting. We will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony, food and drink, and, of course, a brand new playground. Come play with us!”
“The Pendleton County community and supporters near and far have something to be very proud of with Miracle Point Playground. Pendleton County citizens, families, businesses, civic groups, and churches are responsible for this. Our community can take 100% ownership of this project because they are the ones who made it happen, and they are the ones who will keep it going,” said Adam Hall, board member. It will take ownership and responsibility of community members to keep Miracle Point safe and clean for generations to follow.
Building Miracle Point is just the beginning. “Fundraising will never end. There will always be maintenance and upkeep. We will always be looking for ways to make the playground better, to add new equipment, and add new features. We want this to be a place that pulls people from surrounding counties. We want Miracle Point to be a tourist destination, a place where even parents and grandparents of all abilities can play with their kids, a place where every single kid can play with their friends and families. Our goal is to break down any barriers someone may face so the gift of play is available for all,” said Jenna Kelsch-O’Hara, board member.
“Miracle Point will be unlike any playground in the area. It will feature a solid, wheelchair-friendly play surface, various types of swings, a step-free play structure, a sensory station with shaded seating, a musical play station, dueling zip lines, step-free spinner and glider, and it will be completely fenced in,” said Dixie Wells, board member. “This will truly be a destination spot for our area. We are so excited to be able to provide a safe place for all kids to be able to play with their friends and families. We can’t wait to see the friendships that will form simply from the gift of play.”
The Miracle Point Playground board members Jennifer Delaney-Hartzel, Casey Wood-Croley, Jenna Kelsch-O’Hara, Ali Duff-Orme, Adam Hall, and Dixie Wells would like to extend an official thank you to the citizens and supporters of Pendleton County who have made this playground a reality for so many kids and their families.
Please follow us on Facebook @MiraclePointPlayground to stay up-to-date on upcoming events and fundraising efforts.