Pastor Chuck Workman of Crossroads Church, Westmoreland, speaks prior to breaking ground for a new interactive church playground that can be enjoyed by children with special needs. — Photo courtesy of EnVision Drone & Media Studios
WESTMORELAND — Families of special needs children in Westmoreland and surrounding communities will soon have an interactive playground to enjoy.
CrossRoads Church broke ground on the new adaptive playground on Aug. 4 in Westmoreland
Mayor David Leath and other city officials attended the community celebration. The church provided free hamburgers, hotdogs and ice cream to those in attendance.
Following the groundbreaking, CrossRoads hosted a free community concert featuring Curb Records recording artist/songwriter Hannah Kerr, who opens for Big Daddy Weave and has gained her own recognition for songs such as “Changed” and “Warrior.”
The playground will feature multiple stations designed to stimulate physical and mental activity for all children but especially for those with special needs. Church leaders expect the project to be completed and ready for play this fall.
“Our prayer is that this playground will not only strengthen our community to reach all children and families but also become a focal point for community engagement,” said CrossRoads Pastor Chuck Workman.
“CrossRoads Church is a wonderful place of worship, but we feel it is also a place of community that plays a significant role in promoting physical and spiritual health.”
Workman added that the playground will be designed in such a way that every child could come and play, regardless of their ability.
“The playground will be used as a bridge. We want to be able to connect all families to create community and an opportunity for our CrossRoads family to spread the gospel and the good news about Jesus Christ to those who come.”
Westmoreland High School special education and inclusion teacher Jessica Thomas added: “I love this idea of sensory play, and it’s vital in a small town like ours. These play areas will help with problem solving, building social skills, help with spatial awareness, and, of course, build their confidence.
“Sound and touch for sensory children are imperative to their learning. It helps with their body awareness and controlling their thoughts and actions,” she added.
The church has contracted with Dallas-based Playworld to construct the playground on the front lawn that overlooks US Highway 31E/Scottsville Highway. Soon after the equipment installation, the church plans to build a large, covered pavilion for families to enjoy meals while children play. B&R
