Everyone's Playground

September 2023

Bringing the community together to support all children with diverse abilities to enjoy the outdoors

Everyone's Playground 2023 Comfort Station ribbon cutting ceremony attracted more than 200 attendees, chaired by former PA State Senator John Gordner, which was followed by a "Kid's Picnic" especially organized for those with special/different needs and other disabilities and cognitive challenges.

"This is a great day for the community, for families with kids who have various physical or cognitive difficulties, and caregivers assisting those who will most benefit from the value of the various playground facilities" Mr. Gordner said.

"With the addition of the comfort station the playground complex lends itself to a truly full service safe play space for those visiting and enjoying the advantages and benefits of the especially designed equipment and apparatus which accommodates the needs of everyone regardless of level of ability or just to have fun." Mr. Gordner noted.

According to Heinemann the ADA compliant comfort station rest rooms will accommodate two individuals and their caregivers, while ensuring complete privacy for each. Specifically designed for those with special or different challenges, the comfort station will provide the latest in personal needs equipment in an ADA mandated sanitary environment.

"Every consideration was given to the safety and convenience of the user in a friendly and home like surrounding. The comfort station is within steps of Everyone's Playground, a picnic pavilion, fresh drinking water, and comfortable Buddy Benches snuggled among a grove of beautiful shade trees" Representative Rowe remarked. It was further pointed out the comfort station, like the playground, is equally family friendly and enhances the ambiance of the recreation facility and as such offers a pleasant, safe, daily inspected, and hygienic facility. Penn Township has assumed responsibility for a daily inspection and maintenance of the comfort station.

There were several surprise unannounced features of the ceremony including the unveiling of the newest addition to Everyone's Playground: an Animal Sounds Sensory Panel placed near the entrance to the comfort station. Sensory play consists of tactile, auditory, emotional and intellectual responses and visual sensations. This latest piece of playground equipment was provided through the generosity of Simona and Nils Lovik and the Selinsgrove Dairy Queen/Grill and Chill of which Simona is Owner and Manager. Simona is also Chair of the Andy Russell Charitable Foundation Central PA Advisory Council of which Russ Fairchild is Vice Chair.

In her presentation comments Ms. Lovik said the addition of a sensory panel "brings added importance and value to the playground which will benefit all users and help enhance learning skills as well as an entertainment benefit. I'm thrilled we were able to further assist with the growth and development of Everyone's Playground which has become such a powerful positive area resource and directly benefits those who visit" she concluded.

It was also announced that the pathway, leading to the playground from the parking area, had been named The Gary A. Sojka Family Walkway in honor of the former Bucknell University President and his family. "Gary and his family have been a force for so much good throughout the greater central Susquehanna Valley as well as extraordinary supporters of Everyone's Playground that it seemed obvious we needed to recognize them for their generosity, kindness, and commitment to the caring for others, especially those with health and physical challenges," former PA State Representative Russ Fairchild said. Visitors to the playground will now pass by a permanent plaque designating the walkway in honor of the Sojka family.

In another surprise announcement, Fritz M. Heinemann, President of the local regional office of the Andy Russell Charitable Foundation, announced the Foundation was establishing a new community award to be known as "The Unsung Hero and Heart Award" and the first recipient was Michael Flock of Middleburg. A former banking and financial official, Mr. Flock is a past President of the Selinsgrove Rotary Club, past President of the Selinsgrove Area Community Foundation where he was instrumental in establishing their Youth In Philanthropy program and many other community and philanthropic endeavors.

In his comments, Heinemann said "Mike Flock has been a friend of mine for nearly 30 years and an exceptional supporter of Everyone's Playground and now the construction of the comfort station. He is a man of unusual capacity to care for others, to roll up his sleeves and serve, and to be the unsung hero of making magic happen for others. His influence and commitment for everything good will be a lasting tribute to his own personal qualities of integrity, perseverance, and compassion." It was also announced that Kellie Flock, daughter of Mike and Kathi Flock, was spearheading a campaign to replicate Everyone's Playground in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, based on the visits of her daughter who has muscular dystrophy and enjoys Everyone's Playground when visiting her grandparents.

Others recognized were Volunteers, Donors, Penn Township Supervisors, Town Manager, and Road Crew. David Bowersox of DB Construction was acknowledged and applauded for the construction of the comfort station as were officials of LightsourceBP, a premier corporate sponsor, who flew in from Idaho to participate in the ceremony, and Andy Long of W&L Subaru, Ribbon Cutting sponsor of the ceremony.