Jonesboro Rotary Centennial Park
by John Sawyer, Jr.
President 2003-04

It began as a casual meeting over coffee at the Holiday Inn.

A leader from each of the three Rotary Clubs of Jonesboro met with then District Governor Elect, Jake Morse, prior to the start of his term as DG on July 1, 2004, to plan a ‘special something’ for the upcoming Rotary Centennial.  After the charge was given for us to focus on the precepts of Rotary, we began spewing out ideas: a huge Rotary emblem, assistance to health services, flower gardens and on and on; they just didn’t seem to fit what we wanted to do for this once in a lifetime opportunity to let the community know about the heart and soul of Rotary.  It seemed that the underlying theme that was emerging was ‘kids’.

Jasmine Barnett of Jonesboro provided all of the inspiration we needed. Click image for larger

Then came the idea of continuing some work at Craighead Park. Rotary had been responsible for the popular walking trail at Craighead Forest. So, why not expand on this previous work and consider a project for this recreational area?  More ideas emerged: some were too small, some didn’t fit our plan for the image of Rotary.  Then it happened Jay Clevenger simply mentioned,  “How about a playground for disabled children?”

Each looked around to see others’ reactions.  The concept was born. Then the questions came: How can we pull this off? How much is it going to cost? Who is going to do raise the money, pick out the playground equipment, and organize the members to plan this major project?

A year and a half of challenging organization, preparation and commitment was looming before us.

Next few meetings:

• “Let’s raise $200,000 to purchase equipment.”
• “If we are going to do this right, we will need a additional money to establish a fund for continued maintenance.”
• “OK, $250,000”.

After a few more meetings:

• This final design provided areas for smaller and larger children of all abilities to play together. Click image to view a larger version.

  “Because we want a large park where the disabled can play along with non-disabled children, it must be a regular park with additional specialized equipment.”
• “We need to do all we can to make this park accommodating: an entire cushioned surface of the playground to protect the children, gazebo and benches for parents to watch the children, aesthetically appealing signage and fencing, restrooms and even a spray park.”
• “We need to raise $700,000 through a capital campaign, grants and in-kind donations.”

Committees were formed from among members of the Rotary Clubs as well as from other organizations and agencies.  Partnerships with the city, county, Arkansas Game and Fish and numerous others were established.  An extensive major capital campaign followed with great success. Rotary Clubs, Rotarians, individual businesses and community members gave generously to create this playground and maintain it for years to come.
Yes, the money was raised!

Children with disabilities now have a place to go and play along with their friends.  I remember the opening day of the playground when a child with severe disabilities was placed in one of the special swings. The sparkle of joy was radiant from the child; the mother gently pushed her child while occasionally wiping away a tear because this was the first time in this child’s life that he had been in a swing.

Photo of the completed playgrounds in the Jonesboro Rotary Centennial Park. Click image to view a larger version.

A day at Jonesboro Rotary Park begins with my grandkids rushing past the gate and going from one piece of equipment to another. It is quite similar to watching the five year old walking into Chuck E. Cheese. After the new wears off for the nth time, they find other children and begin to play games.  This Rotary Park is much more than swings, ladders and roller slides, it helps kids learn to play together and respect those with disabilities.  After playing, the kids get their Zebco 33”s and walk a few yards to the fishing causeway built to accommodate children in wheelchairs.  Game and Fish have it well stocked. When the worms are gone, the grandkids want to walk through the woods to the absolutely phenomenal Forrest L. Wood Nature Center, which is only a few hundred yards.  We come back, I sit under the shade of the canopy, and it’s back to the playground again until I hear, “Grandpa, We’re Hungry!”

Wow!

Thanks Rotary Clubs of Jonesboro