A pleased parent

It’s a great time to be a kid on the west side. Children of all abilities were given a gift last month in the form of an inclusive playground called the Scottie Yard. I have a 12-year-old daughter who has never been able to play with her younger brother and sister on a playground. She has always had to sit in her wheelchair and watch. Thanks to the vision by Oak Hills School administration, staff and parents; and the commitment from the Green Township Trustees, this project came to fruition very quickly.

Each detail of the playground meets the needs of my daughter, but even more importantly, EVERY child. The Scottie Yard has all of the typical features of a playground, and more. The squishy flooring makes it easy to use a wheelchair or a walker. It has an interactive musical structure which encourages kids like my daughter to stand up out of her wheelchair and PLAY! It is bright, colorful and overall visually appealing to a child. What is also wonderful about the Scottie Yard is that, although housed at Oakdale Elementary, it is open to the public during non-school hours. So think of it as a community park.

So I want to say thank you Trustee Tony Rosiello. Thank you Trustee Triffon Callos. Thank you Trustee David Linnenberg. Thank you Oak Hills Schools. Thank you to the huge team of volunteers. And thank you to every donor for the $5 donation to the $1,000 donation. You have addressed my daughter’s needs, as well as the needs of countless other children in Green Township and beyond. I have been shown that ALL kids are valued, and I couldn’t be happier.

Catie Singer, Green Township