Newly installed inclusive Melody Garden located at Heritage Elementary in Wentzville, Missouri. The space is comprised of six freestanding outdoor Freenotes Harmony Park instruments and a buddy bench to make the existing playground more inclusive. The space includes the Freenotes Tenor Tree, Flower, and Butterfly.
One day while in fourth grade, Melody Day looked beyond the barriers and saw opportunities. Since the school district did not have funds earmarked for playground renovation, she decided she would raise the money herself. Consequently, she designed a PowerPoint presentation and asked the school principal if she could present her case. Shortly thereafter, a Go Fund Me was set up and the news spread around the school; Melody Day has set out to bring more inclusion to our playground. Kids started to pitch in and create items to sell. Allowances were given, birthday gifts were exchanged for support towards this mission and the PTA declared that this project had the utmost priority.
Victoria Babb, Community Resource Manager for Cunningham Recreation who directs the social impact arm known as Play 4 ALL, was invited to join the team. Months later, the Melody Garden was designed and 100% of the funds secured. Melody Day also received the Play 4 ALL Youth Champion for Inclusion Award from Cunningham Recreation for her hard work and dedication to bring about a play space where everyone could "belong.
