First Wheelchair Swing Installed at Wee Care Park
For Immediate Release
October 20, 2015
DeFuniak Springs, Fla— The fulfillment of an idea born at the Sheriff’s Office is brought to fruition with the help of the hard working employees at Walton County Parks and Recreation. The first of five wheelchair swings is in the process of being installed at Wee Care Park in DeFuniak Springs this week. The foundation is being put in place this morning and concrete will be poured Wednesday.
The birth of the idea came from Sheriff Michael Adkinson himself at an executive staff meeting at his office in DeFuniak Springs and has been carried out by Major Brian Schultz, Tammy Godwin, Captain Michael Gainey, Lieutenant Oscar Jiggetts, and all the staff at the Walton County Jail including inmates.
“This was something I had to do,” said Sheriff Adkinson. “Kids with handicaps should not be kept from participating at play grounds just like other children. This now levels the playing field for them.”
Money raised for the swings totals $12,000 and has come from anonymous donors, fundraising, and with the help of County Commissioners Bill Chapman and Sara Comander. Commissioner’s Chapman and Comander both dedicated $5,000 each from their district’s recreational plat fees for the project, which are used to improve parks and recreation throughout the County.
“We are glad to see the first one going up,” said Major Schultz. “We are really excited for the remaining four. This has been a project that is the result of great teamwork and dedication.”
These wheelchair accessible swings are specially designed to accommodate both adult and juvenile wheelchairs, even motorized wheel chairs.
“No longer do children confined to a wheelchair have to sit on the sidelines,” said Sheriff Adkinson.
Wheelchair swings will be located at Wee Care Park, Hammock Bay, Gene Hurley, Paxton, and Helen McCall parks.
For Further Information Contact:
Corey Dobridnia
Public Affairs Coordinator
Walton County Sheriff’s Office
(850) 855-0299
DeFuniak Springs, Fla— The fulfillment of an idea born at the Sheriff’s Office is brought to fruition with the help of the hard working employees at Walton County Parks and Recreation. The first of five wheelchair swings is in the process of being installed at Wee Care Park in DeFuniak Springs this week. The foundation is being put in place this morning and concrete will be poured Wednesday.
The birth of the idea came from Sheriff Michael Adkinson himself at an executive staff meeting at his office in DeFuniak Springs and has been carried out by Major Brian Schultz, Tammy Godwin, Captain Michael Gainey, Lieutenant Oscar Jiggetts, and all the staff at the Walton County Jail including inmates.
“This was something I had to do,” said Sheriff Adkinson. “Kids with handicaps should not be kept from participating at play grounds just like other children. This now levels the playing field for them.”
Money raised for the swings totals $12,000 and has come from anonymous donors, fundraising, and with the help of County Commissioners Bill Chapman and Sara Comander. Commissioner’s Chapman and Comander both dedicated $5,000 each from their district’s recreational plat fees for the project, which are used to improve parks and recreation throughout the County.
“We are glad to see the first one going up,” said Major Schultz. “We are really excited for the remaining four. This has been a project that is the result of great teamwork and dedication.”
These wheelchair accessible swings are specially designed to accommodate both adult and juvenile wheelchairs, even motorized wheel chairs.
“No longer do children confined to a wheelchair have to sit on the sidelines,” said Sheriff Adkinson.
Wheelchair swings will be located at Wee Care Park, Hammock Bay, Gene Hurley, Paxton, and Helen McCall parks.
For Further Information Contact:
Corey Dobridnia
Public Affairs Coordinator
Walton County Sheriff’s Office
(850) 855-0299
