Friday, October 11, 2024
Down With Mylestones Inc., a nonprofit founded by Lisa Hill and her family, continue to raise funds for an all-inclusive park to be built in W.A. Olen Park around the existing playground equipment in the park.
Hill said the cost of the entire project is just under $240,000, which includes the playground equipment, the pours in place rubber to allow easy access to the equipment, and construction. So far, Down With Mylestones has raised $110,000 from area organizations, businesses and fundraising events.
“We are so hopeful that we can build the park next summer, pending our fundraising goal is met,” Hill said.
The beginning
Creating Down With Mylestones was personal for Hill and her family. Her third child, Myles, was born in October 2021, but when Hill was 21 weeks pregnant with Myles, a routine ultrasound showed that the baby was showing markers of Down Syndrome.
“Weeks later, we learned that the baby would have a 99% chance of being born with Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21),” Hill said. “Myles was officially diagnosed with Down Syndrome as soon as the newborn screening results were back. This journey has been crazy, difficult, overwhelming, and beautiful all at the same time. We have learned so much in these short few years of his life. Each day we continue to learn new things that help us navigate through our journey.”
Hill said the idea for an all-inclusive park came to her when she took Myles and her other two sons to a park in Clintonville when Myles was eight months old. Her older two sons saw another child on a swing, and they wanted to push Myles on a swing.
“Sadly, I had to say no,” Hill recalled. “Myles’s head control wasn’t great. We were just able to start sitting up with limited support. It wasn’t safe for him. The boys couldn’t understand why there wasn’t any equipment ‘safe’ for Myles. This is one of the first times they saw the difference ... one of the first times they cried and told me they hated that he had Down Syndrome. How it wasn’t fair, why would God do this to Myles? I could barely hold back the tears, and we left the park shortly after and went home. Crying to my husband – I told him we are going to build a park – a park safe for Myles and all of his friends.”
Fundraising
Since that experience, Hill said Down With Mylestones was created and fundraising was started for an all-inclusive playground to be built in Clintonville. The organization has also applied for grant funding.
“The all-inclusive playground will serve as a physical representation of what we stand for – a community and world that collaborates together, regardless of abilities,” Hill said. “During the journey of completing this initial showcased project, we have been and will continue to educate our community and the broader population about how spectacular children with disabilities are and how, when we all learn to collaborate together, we are unstoppable. The completed playground will be a hub for everyone to come together, regardless of abilities, and upon completion, we will share the journey of that completed milestone while continuing to spread education and awareness.”
Community impact
Once the all-inclusive playground is completed, Hill said she hopes it will foster community engagement as a communal space “that encourages interaction among families from diverse backgrounds and local communities, fostering a sense of unity and collective responsibility.”
She added, “We will design and construct pathways, play areas, and facilities that meet ADA standards and other accessibility guidelines, ensuring ease of access for children and families with disabilities. The park will encourage active play and healthy lifestyles by offering a range of engaging, physically stimulating activities that promote exercise and well-being among children and their families. We will ensure that the park is a safe, secure, and well-maintained space where children can explore and play without risk of injury, and where families can feel comfortable and supported.
“We will incorporate elements that provide educational value, such as sensory experiences, interactive installations, and themed play areas that stimulate learning and creativity. It will help children improve their physical, social, and cognitive skills through their engagement with a variety of play equipment and activities, as measured by observations, parent reports, and developmental assessments. The park will serve as a hub for community interaction, with increased attendance from local families and collaborative events that promote unity and social cohesion within the community.”
Fundraising
On Satruday, Oct. 19, a Ride for Slides UTV/ATV fundraising ride will be held. The ride will leave Good Time Charlies, E9750 Seventh St., in Clintonville at noon and end at Caroline Legion Club, W12850 County Truknk M, around 5 p.m. At the Caroline Legion Club, a dinner will be held that will also include raffles. The cost is $40 for adults and children are free. Those who don’t have a UTV/ATV can join the group with a motorcycle or vehicle, or join the group at the Caroline Legion Club.
A “Breakfast with Santa” will be held Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Caroline Legion Club. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to breakfast, there will be crafts available for children, and photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Details about the event can be found at: www.downwithmylestones.com.
Monetary donations can be made directly to Down With Mylestones by mailing them to Kerber Rose in Clintonville or dropping them off at Brewed in Clintonville. Donations can also be made online at www.downwithmylestones.com.
