Salem Boy Scout installs handicapped accessible swing
SALEM, Ohio - People wheelchair bound can now enjoy a new feature at Waterworth Memorial Park's playground in Salem.
The mind behind the project is St. Paul Troop 6 Boy Scout, Sam Murray, a senior at Salem High School who is working towards the prestigious Eagle Scout ranking.
"After discussing it with my parents, the park's board and my Eagle Scout board and finally getting it approved at district, this is what we arrived at," said Murray, pointing to the completed project.
Not only did Murray raise $10,000 for the project but he also assembled the swing together. Murray told 21 News fundraising came with an additional challenge during the COVID-19 era.
The swing from Ironwood Products allows for a wheelchair to roll directly onto it. A wheelchair can then be securely strapped down and families can also take part in the swing with two seats across from each other.
Murray said he's received hundreds of messages on social media, thanking him for creating this contribution to Waterworth Memorial Park's playground.
"It kind of brought me reassurance that people would enjoy the idea of the wheelchair swing in the parks," Murray said.
Salem's Parks & Recreation Department and his fellow troop members helped him create the project.
"I've kind of grown up around people through my school or visiting my mom's work when I was younger who have been confined to a wheelchair," Murray explained, "and I do know some people who are confined to a wheelchair and it's just something I've always thought about."
Murray's mom works for a local nursing home as a physical therapist and he said he's glad some of her patients can even utilize the swing.
"I'm just really happy to be serving the community and be able to give back to those people who had something taken away from them," Murray said.
Murray will continue to work for his Eagle Scout ranking throughout this school year and hopes to earn the rank by the end of his senior year in 2022.
After graduation, he will attend Ferris State University in Michigan to major in welding engineering technology.
