A groundbreaking ceremony was held at 10 a.m. on Friday morning for the new playground adjacent to the Child Protective Services building, which has been coordinated by the Leitchfield Lion’s Club.
The idea for the playground originated with Lions Club President Theresa Armstrong, a former foster parent, who saw it as a way to improve kids’ visitation time with their families at CPS’s new location on the bypass.
The Lions Club has donated the playground equipment, while Future Designs and Esque Wood Preserving are donating the materials for a six-feet tall privacy fence to surround the playground. Another local company, Miracle Recreation, provided discounted materials, and the Grayson County Detention Center is supplying all of the labor for the project.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the community support we’ve gotten,” Armstrong said at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Judge Shan Embry also took a moment to say a few words expressing her appreciation for the project. “This will give families a chance to work toward reuniting,” Embry said, “I’m really excited about that prospect.”
Embry, along with Service Region Administrative Associate Tony Helm, with CPS, both touted the ability the playground will have to provide visiting families with new skills and to allow CPS workers to observe interactions in a more natural setting.
“I can’t put into words ‘thank you’ enough,” Helm said, “this project is just phenomenal.”
Helm pointed out that not only will this mark the first CPS playground in his service area, but most likely will be the first such project in the state.
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