Girl's idea is more than child's play

A 10-year-old is trying to build a playground for disabled children in Oldsmar. Officials have approved it. Now she must raise the funds.

By MATTIAS KAREN

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 7, 2000

OLDSMAR -- As she played at Friendship Playground early this spring, fourth-grader Ryan McCullers noticed something wrong.

There were some kids in wheelchairs sitting close by, unable to use the playground equipment.

"They were just sitting there, watching the other kids play," said Ryan's mother, Sherri. "And it kind of bothered her."

Ryan asked her mother if there was a playground for disabled children. The answer -- no -- didn't satisfy her.

"They need a place to play," Ryan said.

So Wednesday night, Ryan, a 10-year-old who attends Oldsmar Christian School, stood confidently before the Oldsmar City Council to pitch her plan for a playground she has designed especially for disabled children. In response, council members nodded unanimously.

The plan is for Ryan to raise the money for the playground and the city to provide the space for it.

"It's a wonderful thing to see," Mayor Jeff Sandler said. ". . . I don't recall any single project which has basically been spearheaded by a person as young as Ryan."

Mrs. McCullers said that when her daughter kept asking about a playground for the disabled, she told her she should do something about it.

"I said, "If you believe in it so strongly, build it,' " Mrs. McCullers said. "She said, "I can do that by myself? How?' I said, "Go to the City Council.' "

So she did. That is, she went after her mom explained exactly what the City Council is. Until then, Ryan didn't know there was one.

When Ryan first came before the council in March, Sandler said council members were curious. Having 10-year-olds present proposals isn't exactly common, he said.

"When children do get up before the council, they probably attract more attention," Sandler said.

The council liked the plan and told Ryan to present it to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. A friend's dad gave Ryan a catalog from GameTime, a company that makes playground equipment. She picked out equipment worth about $18,000, including two swings, a two-seated jeep, an elevated sandbox and a backhoe digger. She also chose a small playhouse with panels that teach about things like the solar system, animals and nature.

"I wanted it to be educational and I wanted it to be fun," Ryan said. "If they're going to be out there playing, they better learn something. That's my motto."

The advisory board recommended its approval June 12.

Now, after the council's approval, all that's missing is the money. Parks and Recreation Director Lynn Rives estimates the total cost of building the playground will be $35,000 to $40,000. But he said he doesn't doubt Ryan's ability to raise the money.

"If what she's done so far is any indication . . . I think she's got a good shot at it," Rives said.

Ryan said she's counting on fundraisers and private donations. She said she's planning a "jail-and-bail" fundraiser, where people can pay to put someone in jail, and then someone would have to post a "bail" to get that person out.

She said she doesn't know how long it will take to raise the money.

"It depends on how generous people are," she said. "I hope to move quick."

She is likely to get some help from the city as well. Council member Ed Manny said he would like to see the city match whatever funds Ryan raises.

"We'll see to it that it works," Manny said. "I think it's a great idea."

Sandler said he'd like to see the community get involved in the project, but that the city will help out as well.

"There's no reason why the council couldn't fund whatever needs to be funded to make it happen," he said.

Mrs. McCullers said she wasn't worried about her daughter's ability to find the money.

"She can do it," she said. "She's got a lot of support in the community."

The council hasn't decided where the playground would be, but Ryan and council members agreed they would like to see it next to the Friendship Playground in R.E. Olds Park.

"That's where all the activity is," Ryan said.

As Ryan now starts looking for the money, city officials are left marveling at her persistence and determination.

"We've had some young kids that have come up with some plans in town," Manny said, "but I think this is really exceptional."

Said Rives, "A few other kids in the world ought to take notice of what she's trying to do."

Mattias Karen can be reached at (727) 445-4243 or at northpin@sptimes.com.

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