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Traveling playground crew proving to be popular with kids

Traveling Playground Crew leaders Michael Mihal and Nick Cluxton (far right) were joined on July 23 at Sunflower Park by several children and Pastor Tim Cox of the Miami Valley Community Church, Debbie McLaughlin, Miamisburg parks and recreation director, Ginny Strausburg, DP&L Foundation executive director, and Mayor Dick Church.

/Contributed photo Traveling Playground Crew leaders Michael Mihal and Nick Cluxton (far right) were joined on July 23 at Sunflower Park by several children and Pastor Tim Cox of the Miami Valley Community Church, Debbie McLaughlin, Miamisburg parks and recreation director, Ginny Strausburg, DP&L Foundation executive director, and Mayor Dick Church.

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By Staff Report 9:24 AM Wednesday, July 29, 2009

MIAMISBURG — Earlier this summer, Miamisburg and the Dayton Power & Light Foundation teamed up to bring to a free traveling playground crew program to the community.

Since mid-June, city parks and recreation staff have been hitting local parks and leading children in large and small group games, arts and craft activities and in giant games, such as Connect Four, Twister and Jenga.

“We recognize and appreciate the tough decisions families are required to make, given the current economic climate,” said Debbie McLaughlin, parks and recreation director. “Yet, we do not want to deprive children of the life-affecting benefits that play offers. Economic climates can change, but missed opportunities can have a lasting impact.”

Five area churches are participating: Miamisburg Assembly of God Church, Miamisburg Community Church, Trinity United Church of Christ, Parkview United Methodist Church and Miami Valley Community Church. Each day, a different church distributes meals following the traveling playground crew program.

“The opportunity to partner with the parks and recreation department to serve the children and families of our community is a great privilege for our churches,” said Tim Cox, pastor of the Miami Valley Community Church. “Every church that was asked said ‘Yes,’ and there wasn’t a hint of hesitation from anyone.”

Through the program, McLaughlin said children increase their familiarity and comfort level with neighborhood parks. They “experience active play as an alternative to television viewing and video gaming, increase their appreciation of the great outdoors and take steps toward developing an active lifestyle.”

The program is seeing about 130 children weekly.

Katrina Miller, parent to two children attending the program at Sunflower Park, grew up in Rochester, N.Y., where she was involved in a similar program.

“With all of the things facing children these days, kids need an outlet,” she said.

Ginny Strausburg, executive director of the Dayton Power & Light Foundation, said the foundation was drawn to the program because it “provides opportunities to develop positive values, socialization and positive identity through the relationships that develop between the adults and the youth.”

For more information, call (937) 866-4532.

We’ve got Miamisburg covered for you!

DaytonDailyNews.com/news/community/miamisburg/

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