Savannah’s Playground nonprofit raising Phase 1 funds

The idea for Savannah’s Playground, the enabling park taking shape at Grand Park in Myrtle Beach, came from special needs children playing ball at the Miracle Leagues field. “It just hit me,” says Mayor John Rhodes. “The Miracle League concept gave me the idea and Savannah was my inspiration.”

Savannah Thompson, 19, a student at Socastee High School, has Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis, or narrowing of her aortic artery. She was born with Williams Syndrome and underwent her first surgery before she was 4 years old. Complications caused cardiac arrest and brain trauma.

“The very day that doctors gave Lance and Marjorie [Thompson] no hope of Savannah recognizing them or her surroundings, she defied the odds and fought her way back. That fighting instinct ... has been the bright star in her personality. ... Her fighting spirit has been embraced by this community.” That is from the brochure on Savannah’s Playground by the nonprofit of the same name.

Phase One construction began the first of October in Grand Park at Common Market, the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. The enabling park is at the Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium, now a part of the city’s Parks & Recreation Department. Rhodes expects completion of Phase One in February 2016; but says “we’re not rushing” construction to meet any particular date. In the first phase is a “harmony park” with large instruments such as xylophones. The instruments are toned for autistic children.

Rhodes personally tested some of the playground equipment with Dan Lambert of DDC Engineering, which contributed design and engineering services for Savannah’s Playground. Rhodes recalls the trip to Landscape Structures in Delano, Minn. The frigid temperature in the airport jetway literally took his breath. “I’m riding a zipline in the snow to make sure it will be right for our kids.”

“The beautiful thing about this playground is it has equipment for kids as young as 6 months.” The enabling park originally was projected as a one-acre site. “I got carried away as I looked at various concepts and equipment and the next thing I knew, it was four acres and $3 million. The second phases are projected to include a water play park and a “fishing friends” pier with paddleboats. “When it’s completed, it’s going to be something special.”

The Horry County legislative delegation secured $300,000 from the state of South Carolina and the redevelopment authority for the former base also made a $300,000 grant. Horry County Council approved $100,000 and Wal-mart contributed $50,000 – the only big corporation contribution thus far. Harry Bryant of Bryant Electric has contributed $25,000 and the Michael C. Alford Foundation $5,000. The nonprofit also received $10,000 from organizers of the Carolina Country Music Fest in June.

Coastal Outdoor has donated 20 electronic billboards which this week will start listing names of major contributors.

Rhodes is passionate about Savannah’s Playground and not hesitant about asking corporations for donations. He notes the city collects $22 million from the tourism development sales tax to promote tourism. “Corporate America is here because of tourism and benefits from the promotion. I’m asking them to give back.”

Noting there are 6,000 special needs children in Horry County, Rhodes asks: “How do you not want to be a part of something for our children.”

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 8:44 AM with the headline "Savannah’s Playground nonprofit raising Phase 1 funds."