JENELL TAYLOR
Staff Writer
On June 27, a smiling group of friends and family convened at Miller Park for the celebration of two new swing sets gifted by local couple Linda and John Creech.
The Creeches were spending quality time with their grandson, Levi, when they realized that there were no swings for him to play on. Aside from a well-loved tire swing near the President’s Cottage, there appeared to be no designated children’s swing sets in Chautauqua.
“I don’t know a kid who doesn’t like to play on swings,” Linda said. “Adults, too,” John added.
As longtime residents of Chautauqua, Linda and John feel a deep connection to the area.
“It’s important to look to the next generation of Chautauquans,” John said. “A lot of us go off into our own little worlds and see what we want for ourselves and forget [them].”
When they first proposed the idea to the Institution, the obvious choice was to place them by the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, considering that is where a majority of Chautauqua’s children spend their time. However, the Creeches noticed that the area was largely inaccessible to those not involved in club programs.
“It was really important that it be available to everybody here, which is why we’re happy that we’re able to do two at different ends of the property,” Linda said.
After four years of planning with the Institution, the swing sets have found their homes at Miller Park and Turner Community Center.
The swingset at Miller Park comes ten years after the opening of Timothy’s Playground, a children’s playset built in the memory of Timothy Ritacco, the son of Ann Ayers and Mark Ritacco. Timothy died from Sandhoff disease in 2004
at age 1.
The Creeches saw the project as a way to emphasize the importance of community to Chautauquans, and that meant making sure no child felt excluded or unwelcome. The Institution’s choice of locations helped to further highlight that point.
“There will be an ADA compliance swing on each structure so that it really is accessible,” said Linda. “Chautauqua really took into account the surroundings,” she continued. “This one fits in really well with the trees and the playground.”
Both swingsets display a golden plaque that reads: “In celebration of learning, play and joy. Inspired by the six smiles that fill our hearts.”
