Scout Works To Bring Adaptive Swings To Lititz Springs Park
Abby Musser is a junior at Warwick High School (WHS), and, since she was a freshman, the Ambassador Girl Scout and member of Girl Scout Troop 70256 of Lititz has been working toward earning her Girl Scout Gold Award by completing a project she named "One Swing at a Time."
Inspired by a friend's son who has alternating hemiplegia of childhood, a neurological condition that causes episodes of paralysis, Musser has been coordinating efforts to bring adaptive swings to Lititz Springs Park. "When he has an episode, he is paralyzed from the neck down with no control of his body," said Musser. "He is the sweetest little boy, but he couldn't do things his siblings were doing." The situation introduced Musser to the need for adaptable playgrounds. "It was something he really just inspired me to think (about)," Musser recalled.
Musser is proud of her hometown, so she wanted to make sure more residents and visitors could enjoy all Lititz has to offer. "There's nothing like proving we are not only the coolest small town in America, but we can advance and offer that availability (of adaptive swings to children)," said Musser.
Aware of the other adaptive playgrounds in Lititz, including Harmony Playground at Saylor Park and the planned Tree House of Lititz at Lititz Church of the Brethren, Musser chose to focus on one of Lititz's best-known outdoor gathering places: Lititz Springs Park. "Lititz is a special place with a lot of events," said Musser, who noted that Lititz Springs Park is the site of a variety of annual happenings, including the Independence Day celebration and Fire and Ice exhibition. "(Lititz is) a very community-oriented place, and our park is right in the center (of town)."
Musser began working on her project during the summer of 2017. Her first step was to schedule a meeting with the Lititz Springs Park board to secure permission to move forward. Her second step was to present a proposal to representatives of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania for approval to complete the project for the Gold Award.
"My third step was fundraising," said Musser, who has raised $5,000 of the approximately $15,000 needed to install the swings. To help raise funds, she has sold bracelets in the green, white, and gray theme colors of the swing project. She also has placed collection jars at local businesses, including Kissel Hill Eye Care, Purple Robin Reserve, and Zest! She has plans underway to hold fundraiser nights at local restaurants, and donations can be made directly at https://oneswingatatime.com.
Musser's fourth step will be to have the swings installed in the park. She has spent a fair amount of time working with the manufacturer of the playground equipment to design the play area so that it will fit into the space that has been designated by the park. It has been configured so that additional swings can be installed at a later date.
The schedule for the project calls for the swings to be installed by the summer of 2021, but that will not necessarily mark the end of the effort. As part of the project, Musser will create a how-to guide for other Girl Scouts or anyone who wants to bring adaptive swings to their local playground. "(That's) the reason behind the name 'One Swing at a Time,'" Musser explained.
Lastly, Musser will celebrate completing her project. "It will be a big accomplishment for me and our town," she stated. "My goal is to spread the word of inclusivity. This is simple, and it tells children they can do it. We just need to care for one another," she said.
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