SteppingStones raising funds for adaptive playground project

Ben Conley, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
·3 min read

Jul. 3—"We can all play, " SteppingStones Executive Director Monica Marietta told members of the Monongalia County Commission. "There is no right or wrong way. It doesn't matter what your ability or disability is."

And that, Marietta continued, is the driving force behind a $2 million project to build a fully inclusive, completely accessible, multi-generational playground in the heart of SteppingStones' Mylan Park home—just beyond Miracle Field's left-field fence.

SteppingStones is a nonprofit organization that provides year-round recreation for children and adults with disabilities.

Nearly two decades ago, the agency partnered with Mylan Park to build Miracle Field, a custom-designed baseball diamond with a rubberized surface suitable for ballplayers overcoming physical and developmental challenges.

When it was built, it was one of two in the country. Now, there are hundreds.

"We have the Cadillac of fields. We've toured other fields. Our field is awesome. Our surface is great, but the appearance is not quite as pleasing to the eye, and what we're missing here in Morgantown that other fields have is a playground, " Marietta said.

This playground project was on the verge of launching in 2019, shortly before COVID put everything on hold.

SteppingStones Recreation Coordinator Kim Walls said the additional time has allowed for even more research—meaning family vacations have typically involved some serious playground time.

"If you've ever been to one of these playgrounds, there's nothing like it, " Walls said. "Everything is adaptive, but you don't know it. It's not like 'Oh, look. There's the swing for someone with a wheelchair.' Everything is completely blended in. Most people would look at it and never realize how adaptive everything is. The kid with disabilities doesn't have to go to one piece of equipment. Everyone can play together."

While the playground would be located between Miracle Field and Pro Performance, it would have a separate entrance and a sidewalk connecting it to some of the park's other amenities.

SteppingStones and Mylan Park previously entered into a memorandum of understanding similar to the one that resulted in Miracle Field. SteppingStones will do the fundraising and grant-writing for the project while Mylan Park provides the land, facility maintenance and liability coverage.

Just like Miracle Field, the playground will be owned by Mylan Park.

Glenn Adrian is working to get the playground funded as part of its fundraising committee.

"Mylan Park is truly becoming a community gathering area, " he said. "I just think it will be a gem to have this in addition to everything that's already going on out there."

Adrian said his group is setting up meetings with local businesses in search of monetary or in-kind donations. A number of grant applications are also in the works.

"The park has some amazing things, but the one thing that we're missing is a play area that's fully open and accessible to everybody, " Marietta said. "As much as SteppingStones is spearheading this project, it's not just for people with disabilities. This is for everyone."

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