WHEELCHAIR SWING BEING ADDED TO MILLBROOK PARK

Over the years I have had the opportunity to watch many ballgames at Millbrook Park.  One of the things I have noticed in recent years when I go to the ballpark is that children who come there to watch their brothers or sisters play, if they are in a wheelchair, have virtually nothing to do while their siblings are playing ball.

This really isn't anyone's fault, its just that a lot of recreational equipment for disabled individuals wasn't available until recent years.  Thanks now to various laws evolving from the Americans with Disabilities Act more and more recreational equipment has been on the market for community parks across the country.

As a member of the New Boston Kiwanis, I was able to find out that grant money was available through the Ohio Kiwanis Foundation for various equipment for children.  I talked with Mike Bell, who is the president of the local Autism Project of Southern Ohio, and we approached the foundation about the possibility of writing a grant for a wheelchair swing.  Thanks to the foundation, as well as Ralph Nolfi and Richard Grimm from Portsmouth Kiwanis, we were able to put together a grant application that was approved.

My special thanks goes out to the New Boston Service Department because they are installing the swing next to the other swings at Millbrook Park. 

The swing is scheduled for a dedication at the annual Autism Walk which will be held on April 20 at the Millbrook Park.  We are asking that the local New Boston Kiwanis Club as well as people from the Ohio Kiwanis Foundation to be there along with members of the Autism Project of Southern Ohio and the New Boston community.

Again my personal thanks to the Ohio Kiwanis Foundation for their generosity in this very worthwhile project.

Mike Payton
4-14-2013