Trending
LISBON -- The Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) is looking at partnering with the Salem Parks Commission on a plan to add an all-inclusive playground to an existing Salem Park.
Assistant Superintendent Josh Martin explained at the board's Wednesday meeting that he was approached by the new Salem Parks Commission Director Jacob Logan, asking if the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities would be willing to partner on raising funds to build Columbiana County's first all-inclusive playground, similar to the one at The Walnut Grove Park in Canfield.
"It's been real successful up there," Martin said of The Walnut Grove Park. "We'd basically be tearing out one of the current jungle gym areas and making it like the area in Canfield."
An all-inclusive playground is a "universally designed, sensory-rich environment that enables all children to develop physically, socially, and emotionally. ... A place that goes beyond minimum accessibility to create play experiences that meet a variety of needs and interests," according to General Recreation, Inc., which is a representative of Landscape Structures, a company that designs all-inclusive playgrounds.
According to the group's website, many people mistakenly believe that playgrounds are required by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to include "elements designed for children with Down syndrome, sensory disorders, and visual and hearing impairments."
"In reality, current ADA standards primarily require that playgrounds be accessible for those who use a wheelchair or other mobility aid," the website reads.
Though the plans are in the very early stages, the board and the Salem Parks Commission will soon be pursuing grants through a variety of organizations and looking at other fundraising opportunities to convert an existing playground in Salem to be all-inclusive.
"At this point in time, it's just the concepts," Martin said after the meeting. "We're trying to identify where we can get an all-inclusive playground."
In reality, Martin hopes the park will be completed sometime in 2025, he said.
"We were excited that they picked our program as a pilot," Martin said.
The board also welcomed back Superintendent William "Bill" Devon from a nearly two-month medical leave on Wednesday.
Devon had a heart attack right before Christmas and had to have open heart surgery, said Assistant Superintendent Josh Martin. He returned to work right after Valentine's Day.
Devon explained that he had a lot of time to think, reflect, and plan, and he hopes for a big year at the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
"I've got things to get done," Devon said. "A lot of people get depressed in the hospital. I was focusing on what I was going to do when I got back here. You'll see some great things happening this year."
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and many programs and events are scheduled throughout the month, Devon said. The Robert Bycroft School is also planning to hold several events for the awareness month.
"There will be something daily at the minimum," Devon said.
The annual CCBDD staff vs. Comets basketball classic will be held 6 p.m. March 28 at the David Anderson Jr. Sr. High School gymnasium.
The CCBDD Spring Dance will be held at Eleanor Acres in Lisbon from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 12.
In other business, the board designated the Robert Bycroft School graduation date as May 23; renewed its contract with Lisbon's David Anderson Jr. Sr. High School for food services; ratified a memorandum of understanding with the teacher's union, Robert Bycroft Education Association, to establish a minimum teacher's salary of $35,000, pursuant to a new law, Ohio Revised Code 3317.13; renewed membership with the Ohio School Boards Association for $600; renewed membership with the Disability Housing Network for $701; and approved a $2,500 sponsorship of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Night with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers minor league baseball team.
"It was a very nice night," Devon said of last year's Scrapper's event, noting that one of the board's clients even sang the national anthem.
The board also approved sponsoring the Ability Walk and Roll for $5,000 and renewed a membership with the Ohio Self Determination Association for $725.
The next meeting of the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be held at its offices in Lisbon at 4 p.m. March 20.