Special playground in Myrtle Beach has special connection to Ocean Lakes
Savannah’s Playground, at Grand Park near The Market Common,
is designed to accommodate children of all abilities, including those with special
needs, so all children can play together. It also gives parents with
disabilities the chance to play with their kids in a way that other playgrounds
don’t accommodate.
The sprawling playground features swingsets, a harmony
musical park, climbing areas, slides and a challenge ropes course with a
zipline. Various sections cater to different ages.
The $1.2 million Americans with Disabilities Act-approved
park opened in Myrtle Beach – about five miles away from Ocean Lakes – late in
the summer and has quickly become a hit with families and a model for other
cities that want to provide a similar playground, officials said.
The inspiration for the city-owned park came from Savannah
Thompson, the 20-year-old daughter of Lance Thompson, General Manager and Vice
President of Ocean Lakes Family Campground.
“Everybody knows Savannah,” city spokesman Mark Kruea said.
“You can’t help but be affected by her willpower and genuine happiness,
infectious smile. And her family are great representatives of Myrtle Beach.
She’s just an inspiration to all who know her.”
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| Savannah Thompson, center, during the ribbon cutting ceremony for Savannah's Playground. |
Savannah has Williams Syndrome, a condition that presents
developmental delays and left her with a heart defect. She had her first
surgery when she was 4, but there were complications with the anesthesia that
caused her to go into cardiac arrest. Savannah was oxygen deprived for 20
minutes, which caused significant brain trauma. She was in a coma for almost a
month, but Savannah fought her way back.
She’s become a bit of a local celebrity: a fixture at
Coastal Carolina University where she cheers for her Chanticleers and a regular
performer of the national anthem at events such as the United Way Day of Caring
breakfast and Miracle League games. She even graced the high-profile stage at
the Carolina Country Music Fest in 2015 to accept a donation for the special park
that would eventually bear her name, winning the hearts of the fans and famous
performers.
“She just brightens your day,” said Ed Gruetzner, regional
representative with Carolina Parks and Play, which worked on Savannah’s Playground.
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| Savannah Thompson cuts the ribbon on the playground bearing her name in September. |
During the playground’s ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 3,
Savannah – decked out in CCU teal – flashed that trademark smile as several
hundred residents and visitors gathered to celebrate the opening of the park,
which many experts say is the most impressive enabling park in South Carolina.
“I want to thank everybody for coming. This is a big honor
for me and my whole family,” Savannah told the crowd before turning to give her
big sis Chandler a big hug.
The playground has been popular with kids of all abilities
since it opened – often a hub of activity during the recent nice, sunny fall
days.
“We are ecstatic that individuals of all abilities, and of
all ages, both residents and guests alike, will be able to enjoy the playground
for many, many years to come,” Lance Thompson said. “We could not be happier
that Savannah was the inspiration behind the concept, and that the playground
has been named in her honor.
“At the risk of offending Disney, in our opinion Savannah’s
Playground is the happiest place on Earth.”
The playground has caught the attention of cities and
counties in the Southeast considering building similar parks, Gruetzner said.
“This opened up a lot of eyes,” Gruetzner said. “It kind of
sets the bar. It’s starting to trend now.”
Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes spearheaded the project for the city and helped raise the money to make it happen, including $300,000 from South Carolina; $300,000 from the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority; $100,000 from Horry County; $350,000 from the city and $50,000 from Wal-Mart.
“He had the idea, had the vision and put the plan into
action,” Kruea said. “It is a good fit for the city.”
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| Savannah Thompson, center, and big sis Chandler with Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes, left, and Rep. Alan Clemmons during the ribbon cutting ceremony for Savannah's Playground in September. |
Lance Thompson thanked Rhodes and others for helping make the park happen.
“Our family is very grateful to Mayor Rhodes, the city of
Myrtle Beach, the county of Horry, the state of South Carolina, the Air Force
Base Redevelopment Authority and all the many other groups and individuals who
have worked so tirelessly to make this wonderful facility a reality,” he said.
The new playground has quickly wowed residents and leaders,
and more phases are in the works. The city already is planning to add restrooms
and an entryway feature that will welcome guests to the park, Kruea said.
Fund-raising for future expansion is underway, though
details of the next phases haven’t been locked down. Officials are considering
a splash pad, more playground equipment and paddleboats.
“The playground is going to get a lot of use seven days a
week,” Kruea said.
If you go
WHAT | Savannah’s Playground
WHERE | Grand Park at The Market Common, near Crabtree
Memorial Gym
WHEN | Daily, dawn to dusk
Want to donate?
Get more info here.
Checks should be made out to Savannah’s Playground, LLC
Donations should be
mailed to:
Savannah’s Playground
P.O. Box 3971
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578
