When the passion of a student who cares deeply about the wellbeing of others teams up with the passion of a city who cares deeply for its community, great things can happen.
Logan Reed, a Central Methodist University occupational therapy assistant (OTA) student from Eldon, Mo., has spent a lot of time in the classroom learning how to mentally and physically support others. Along with other Central students majoring in OTA, Reed has received training to assist clients in regaining life skills for independent living. This mostly pertains to those who may be recovering from an injury or who have disabilities.
In line with Central’s mission and to truly be successful in their major, CMU students often think beyond the classroom and consider the people around them – their community.
And that’s exactly what Reed did, as she developed a grant proposal for the Howard County Health and Wellness Council (HCHWC) to enhance facilities and playground equipment at Ricketts Lake in Fayette – all with the goal in mind to cater to everyone, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
“A universal design park will provide the community with additional resources,” Reed stated in her proposal. “Parks and playground equipment are vital for developmental growth within children – both disabled and nondisabled – and for caregivers.”
Reed’s goal is to secure funding for play equipment and a shade structure – all specially designed with residents in mind who have developmental, sensory, and mobility limitations.
According to Reed, these improvements will allow individuals equal opportunity for play and socialization, and will provide Howard County and surrounding areas the chance to utilize the playground at the lake.
The equipment that would first be installed includes an ADA Sand Digger, a Wheelchair Swing Platform, Sensory Activity Panels, and a Square Shade Shelter – with equipment cost totaling approximately $6,500.
“Playgrounds promote creative play, social interaction, motor skills, and encourage overall health and wellness,” Reed said.
The HCHWC, in collaboration with the city of Fayette and engaged community members, embraced the Ricketts Lake project in 2017. Work began in 2018 and the project will proceed under the direction of the HCHWC when funding is in place – with a completion goal of fall 2019.
Tony Cook, former HCHWC president and a key contributing member, said “the benefits will extend beyond [our] population and beyond the border of our county. The interaction of the varied-ability population of our county can only result in increased sense of community and cohesion. This project is likely to attract visitors to our county, with a potential positive economic impact.”
According to Rebecca Fenton, CMU’s OTA program director, in 2018, Central Methodist’s OTA and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs coordinated Service Day projects with the HCHWC.
“The first was a Fayette Walkability Study,” she said. “Our students really enjoyed the opportunity to contribute to a community project and it was this partnership that fed our desire to support HCHWC in additional ways.”
Fenton said the OTA program began working closely with Cook and the council in regard to the Ricketts Lake Project, which allowed them to expand their community focus by contributing to the research and grant proposal components.
“OTA students experience a unique series of courses where we integrate content from all of their courses into an integrated skills lab,” she said. “It was within these course sequences that Logan chose to complete a literature review and grant proposal with the Ricketts Lake Project as her focus.
“I am very proud of Logan. She is an exceptional young lady and her contributions to this project are a testament to her commitment to service and community.”