Our town comes together to aid disabled
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The move comes after Jimmy Reece, who is confined to a wheelchair but still loves to fish, began spearheading a movement to allow the handicapped better access to the water’s edge.
Reece’s desire to see action was featured in a story appearing in the Southern Standard just a week ago, with no one really knowing what the outcome might be.
Rick Boren, plant manager at Irving Materials Inc. (IMI) in Morrison, said he read the story but also received a telephone call asking for help. McMinnville Parks and Recreation Director Carlene Brown, who initially met with Reece to discuss his willingness to come up with a plan, said an IMI official called her office last Friday parleying the good news.
Boren said this week the decision has been made for IMI to donate concrete for the project, which would cost about $500 otherwise. It would essentially be used to create a sidewalk-like path from the parking area near the dam to near the rocks that touch the water.
He said discussions are also under way to donate the framing and pouring for the project, which Brown said is 90 feet long and 5 feet wide and which was given a preliminary nod by park engineers who have been working on the developing park and the Barren Fork Greenway trail that extends into the park.
Boren said he wanted to “give back to the community,” but added he had a personal interest in wanting to donate the concrete.
“My dad was in a wheelchair right before he passed away and I know it was rough on him. And he loved to fish. That’s got a lot to do with it, too,” he said.
Upon hearing the news, Reece was overjoyed. He said he received several telephone calls from people wanting to help after his ideas were publicized.
“This was done within a day. Somebody has finally stepped forward to help people who cannot help themselves,” he said, looking toward the day when those physically challenged would be able to fish at the park.
“I’m glad people will have access whether they use it or not. I bet with access there, they will use it. I’m going to use it,” he added. “I’m not going to fish as much as I used to, but I’ll be using it. I sure will.”
Because Pepper Branch Park is publicly owned, any proposed changes made there will have to ultimately be approved by members of the Parks and Recreation Committee or other city aldermen, Brown added as a precaution. She said she has already been in contact with her supervisor and is seeking to meet with committee members.