VERO BEACH — With the red ribbon cut, a few young children streamed into the newly opened toddler playground at the Homeless Family Center, quick to check out their new toys and surroundings. A small sandbox, a short slide and a covered miniature picnic table now sit in the middle of Peter Pan’s Never Land.
For Tammey Jones, a 6-month resident at the Homeless Family Center, having the new tot-friendly playground means having a safe place for her two young kids to play and interact with others.
Antonio, 2, and Adrianette, 4, were too busy munching on cupcakes to be bothered with questions but it was clear from their smiles and giggling they were enjoying their new special place.
Jones said her kids used to use the other big kids playground because there was nowhere else. But they didn’t like it.
For her, looking at Peter Pan and his Lost Boys and other characters from the iconic Disney film, Jones said it was fitting to have the playground decorated as such – like schools where “No Child Left Behind” is the motto, the playground gives children a place to be.
Surrounding the playground on three sides are buildings, lending their exteriors to the cause.
Resident Manager Jason Kittendorf came up with the idea for the Never Land-themed playground having never seen the movie.
“Kids need a place that’s fun, where they can be creative,” Kittendorf said – Peter Pan fit that bill.
For six months, he and four other painters worked on the scenes and moments before the ribbon was officially cut, Kittendorf was still working. Those who helped include Deborah Sloane, Kevin Wade Sr., Ben Baker and Kevin Wade Jr. In all, they logged more than 1,600 hours.
“This is really Jason’s moment,” said Homeless Family Center Executive Director Lorne Coyle, stalling before the ribbon was cut. “He’s such a perfectionist.”
“I’m still not done,” Kittendorf said after the official ceremony. He pointed out areas where he wants to fill in more trees and place solid ground under characters who are floating on the walls.
Kittendorf had only planned to paint a couple main characters, but “one thing led to another,” he said, pointing to the additions of Nana and Captain Hook’s right-hand man Smee, who are outside the playground area.
“Jason deserves the credit,” Coyle said for how the playground turned out, adding he had no idea Kittendorf was such a talented artist.
Coyle said the theme is appropriate because the Homeless Family Center helps “lost” families – those who need help and support to be sufficient and successful on their own.
“We help them find their way again,” Coyle said.
It took six months to redo the playground area, in part because the center needed to raise $5,000 to equip the playground with water misters to keep the children cool during the hot months.
Coyle said the bulk came from SunTrust and other contributors, including St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, Other Side Services, Gregory and Christina Vorce, and April E. Rattray.
“Without them we couldn’t have gotten this thing going,” Coyle said.
The next phase for the playground is to add interlocking rubber mats to cushion any stumbles the toddlers might have. Already a few squares have been ordered for underneath the slide but they have yet to arrive.
Kittendorf said he’d like to add water misters to the lower perimeter of the playground and turn it into a bit like a waterpark for the children. The existing misters are attached to under the eaves of the surrounding buildings.
Anyone interested in helping to further improve the Never Land Toddlers Playground at the Homeless Family Center is encouraged to contact the organization by calling (772) 567-5537 or visiting www.HomelessFamilyCenter.com to learn more.