Families with children with special needs in Westmoreland, Tennessee and surrounding communities can soon look forward to an interactive playground.
On August 4, CrossRoads Church in Westmoreland broke ground on its new handicapped accessible playground.
Mayor David Leath and other city officials attended the community celebration. The church provided free hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream to those in attendance.
Following the groundbreaking, CrossRoads hosted a free collaborative concert with Curb Records artist and songwriter Hannah Kerr, who opens for Big Daddy Weave and is known for songs such as “Changed” and “Warrior.”
The playground will include several stations designed to stimulate physical and mental activity for all children, but especially those with special needs. Church leaders expect the project to be completed and ready for play in the fall.
‘Center’
“We pray that this playground will not only strengthen our community so that we can reach all children and families, but also become a center of civic engagement,” said Chuck Workman, pastor of CrossRoads.
“CrossRoads Church is a wonderful place of worship,” he noted, “but we believe it is also a place of community that plays an important role in promoting physical and spiritual health.”
The playground will be designed so that every child can come and play, regardless of their ability, Workman added.
“The playground will be used as a bridge,” he said. “We want to bring all the families together to create a community and give our CrossRoads family the opportunity to spread the gospel and the good news of Jesus Christ to all who come.”
Jessica Thomas, special education and inclusion teacher at Westmoreland High School, noted, “I love this idea of sensory play and it is crucial in a small town like ours. These play areas help with problem solving, building social skills, spatial awareness and of course, building their confidence.”
She added: “Sound and touch are essential for sensory children to learn. It helps them develop body awareness and control their thoughts and actions.”
The church has hired Dallas-based Playworld to build the playground on the building’s forecourt, which faces U.S. Highway 31E/Scottsville Highway. Shortly after the equipment is installed, the church plans to build a large, covered pavilion where families can enjoy meals while children play.
EDITOR’S NOTE – This story was written and originally published by Baptist and Reflector.
