Ohio State helps bring community playground to life in Noble County

It was a child’s simple wish: that he could have a place to play without limits.

On a warm July afternoon, that wish unfolded into laughter, connection and community as children of all abilities raced down slides, swirled in adaptive swings and made new friends at a playground built just for them.

The Legendary Adventure Zone, Noble County’s first fully inclusive playground, officially opened July 8 at Belle Valley Community Park. Designed for children of all abilities, the project marks a milestone in community-driven development made possible by collaborative planning, inclusive design and critical support from The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and Ohio State University Extension, the college’s outreach arm.

The playground includes an Expression Adaptive Swing Seat, Zero-G Swing Seat, an inclusive whirl, sensory wave seat, whirlwind seat, communication board and shaded seating — creating a welcoming, multisensory environment that promotes social connection.

“This project began with one brave and loving mother who envisioned a space where her child with autism — and every child in Noble County — could laugh, play and belong,” said Gloria Llewellyn, superintendent and CEO of the Boards of Developmental Disabilities for Belmont, Harrison and Noble counties.

“That spark grew into a powerful collaboration among neighbors, leaders and partners, all driven by the belief that every child deserves a place to explore and feel included.”

The mother was Amanda Myers, whose son, Charlie, inspired her to ask a question that hadn’t yet been answered in her rural community: Where can all children safely play together?

“This inclusive playground is a landmark for our community,” Myers said. “It brings awareness to all special needs and teaches kindness at a young age — so we can all play and have fun.”

Myers partnered with Dawn Schultheis, community development program coordinator for Ohio State Extension in Noble County, and Llewellyn to explore what was possible.

That initial meeting took place on July 30, 2024.

The conversation led to funding through the Marathon Community Investment Program and a $20,000 match from the Noble County Health Department, coordinated by Schultheis. Additional support came from the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, which contributed more than $47,000 to help purchase ADA-compliant picnic tables, benches and sunshades.

In September 2024, the Noble County Board of Developmental Disabilities approved funding of up to $125,000 to purchase the playground equipment — an investment that made it possible to utilize the 2024 GameTime Matching Funds Grant. With this support, the project could meet grant deadlines and move forward as a single-phase build, rather than the originally proposed multiphase approach.

“Through Ohio State Extension and CFAES, we’re here to connect people, programs and partners,” Schultheis said. “The success of this project shows the value of listening to our communities and leveraging those relationships to secure the resources needed to bring real, lasting change.”

Schultheis coordinated with dozens of area businesses to secure donations of concrete, labor, excavation and construction materials — all vital to bringing the food court and grandparent swing area to life.

The project received early equipment grants from DWA Recreation/GameTime and financial contributions from the Noble County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Noble County office of Ohio State Extension community development program. Additional support came from over 25 community businesses, families and organizations.

Beyond infrastructure, the Legendary Adventure Zone models the power of inclusive public spaces to build community resilience — something with real implications for Ohio’s future. As rural areas face challenges retaining young families, providing accessible, high-quality public amenities can influence where families choose to live, work and invest, Llewellyn said.

“This is more than a playground,” she said. “It sends a message to families that their children belong and are welcome to participate fully in community life. Long-term, it will foster growth, inclusion and confidence — not just for children with disabilities, but for the entire community.”

Myers said the community response has been overwhelming.

“We’ve received so much support, love and prayers,” she said. “Being a parent to a child with special needs is far from easy, but we are stronger than we believe. Every community deserves to have individuals like Dawn and Gloria rooting for kiddos with disabilities.”