What started as a dream became reality Friday as the ribbon was cut and the Salem Lions Club Addy’s and Friends Inclusive Playground in Bryan Memorial Park opened for the first time.
Shelly McIntosh led the fundraising effort that topped its goal to allow a larger than originally planned playground as well as adding other recreational activities in the park.
“This playground has been a dream four years in the making. I’ve been overwhelmed at the love and generosity of our small town. This dream started as a tiny idea in a Lion’s Club meeting. In 2017 we were tossing around ideas for a Centennial Lions Club Project. An inclusive playground seemed like a huge undertaking at the time, but we were up for the adventure.”
McIntosh says the playground will provide a number of features.
“Inclusive playgrounds are a place where children of all abilities can come together. This playground features sensory panels, slides, wheelchair ramps, braille and music section, four types of swings among with so many other things that no doubt will bring smiles to faces of kiddos for years to come. I’m very proud to be part of that.”
The playground is named for Addy Rose. Her father Kyle Rose expressed his thanks to all those involved for their kindness, generosity, and love for one another.
“Addy is just one child of many around our community that has disabilities. This playground will now be able to service all of them. Not just now but for generations to come. Children with disabilities will no longer have to sit on the sidelines while they watch other children play and do things they cannot. While this playground will not remove their physical ailments it will at least for the moment give them some of the freedom they are rarely afforded. The freedom to play and interact with their siblings and friends without restrictions,” said Rose.
Mayor Nic Farley called the dedication a great day for Salem.
“You know Salem may not be a big town but we prove when we work together we can accomplish big things. This is a big thing for all the kids who are going to play and their families. I can’t think of something that I have done in the last six years or seen Salem do that makes me prouder than looking at this today. The number of parents and grandparents that have stopped me and said you don’t realize how much this means to our family. Our family will feel included in this community. Or grandparents who have stopped me and said hey now I can go out and play with my grandkids.”
After the ribbon was cut, the gates to the playground were opened and many kids on hand ran to try out all the new equipment.
Addy’s father Kyle Rose pushes his daughter who the playground is named on one of the swings after the playground opened Friday afternoon.
Sign at the entrance to Addy and Friends Inclusive Playground.
Kids move onto the playground equipment after the new inclusive playground opens Friday afternoon.
To prove the playground is for everyone, Mayor Nic Farley takes his turn coming down one of the slides.
