Henry County Conservation seeks community’s help for playground

The Henry County Conservation Board is raising funds for an ADA-accessible playground at Oakland Mills. To accomplish this, they need $390k. Currently, they have raised about $175k. They hope to break ground on the project in Spring, but that all depends on whether they can raise the funds.

It will be named Jared’s Park, after the late son of Board President, David Smith. Jared had Duchesne’s Muscular Dystrophy, making a trip to the playground a difficult endeavor. This playground, a tribute to his memory, will allow wheelchair-users to join in the fun.

Gloria Villanueva of Henry County Conservation described the process, and how the community has rallied behind the project:

“To fill a bucket,” she said, “It takes a lot of little drops.”

The main slide is a loop; one may roll up, dismount their wheelchair, pull themselves up an incline, then ride the slide back down. The slide curves to the right, depositing the rider back where they started. They may climb back up, or return to their chair.

If someone is overwhelmed, they may visit one of the niches.

For those who cannot speak, there is a communication board, bearing different symbols and phrases. To make their thoughts known, the user need only to point them out. This feature is already funded, sponsored by a local family. The wife’s sister had Down’s Syndrome, and they too wanted to honor her memory.

Every penny helps. From nickels and dimes to sums of $10000 and $50000, the public has chipped in. Grants, too, have proven essential, including a special surprise from the Henry County Health Center: Conservation requested $5000; citing their need, the Health Center awarded them $10000, twice as much as requested.

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Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com

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