HERNDON, Va. — Southview Community Church is making sure no child gets left behind — especially on the playground. On Sept. 8 this congregation in Herndon, Va., held a grand opening for its accessible community playground that “provides an environment where everyone feels valued and loved,” said pastor William Attaway.
When faced with an aging playground that needed renovation, Attaway said the congregation began to think of the area from a community perspective.
“Many people in the Herndon and Reston community come and enjoy the playground all through the week. We wanted to provide a safe and fun environment where parents, grandparents and caregivers could come and bring kids,” he said.
While Southview's playground equipment for children with disabilities cost much more than traditional equipment, pastor William Attaway said church members raised funds by giving above their regular contributions.
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“We have a big VBS [Vacation Bible School] camp each summer and last year we had a child in a wheelchair. With the timber beams that outlined the play area and the wood chips used for mulch, this child couldn’t even be in the vicinity of the other children playing there.
“So we thought — let’s be intentional and think of this from another perspective. We wanted a playground that we could give to our community in Jesus’ name. We wanted it designed in such a way that every child could come and play, regardless of their ability,” he said.
New federal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act are changing the landscape for playgrounds open to the public, requiring them to include equipment, materials and designs that provide equal opportunities for children with disabilities. Miracle Recreation, headquartered in Monette, Mo., designed and installed the new ADA-accessible playground at Southview, said Attaway.
With a smooth rubber surface that can accommodate a wheelchair, walker or other devices, the new playground surface also is resilient enough to act as a cushion when a child falls, Attaway said. Transfer stations with handrails allow someone using a wheelchair to transfer out of it onto the playground equipment. Accessible swings provide additional back support and include safety harnesses. The fenced playground area includes picnic tables and a shelter with a graded path — an ideal spot for parents and grandparents to relax while watching their children play, he said.
While the new playground equipment costs much more than traditional equipment, Attaway said the congregation chose to raise the funds with members giving above their regular gifts to the church.
“It was remarkable to see our folks get excited about something that many of them will never personally use,” he said. “While many will never get on a swing set or come down the slide, they can drive by during the week and see people from the community using it.”
A sign is being placed on the building explaining why the church chose to build a handicapped-accessible playground. “We want people to know this isn’t a community service thing,” said Attaway. “We did this because they matter to Jesus and they matter to us. We want them to know that.”
According to the 2010 U. S. census, 57 percent of residents in the area surrounding Southview are religiously unaffiliated, he said. “Our church is focused on this 57 percent. Everything we do we filter through that lens of building bridges to connect them to the God who loves them.”
“The playground is a bridge — a tangible expression of wanting to tell them about Jesus,” he added. “Instead of expecting people to come to you, you need to meet them where they are. Then God will give you the wisdom to take the next step.”
The grand opening of the ADA-accessible playground at Southview on Sept. 8 drew hundreds of church and community members — and children — who enjoyed a free hamburger and hot dog lunch, bounce houses, a giant inflatable slide and a dunking tank. Attaway heard many stories of how children were enjoying the new facilities.
“It’s still a work in progress. We hope to be able to continue to add to it and make it more useful,” he said. “It’s our gift to the community in Jesus’ name.”
Barbara Francis (bfrancis@religiousherald.org) is on the staff of the Religious Herald.