The journey towards inclusivity began with the formation of a special advisory committee by the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club. This committee, comprised of members from various county groups, aimed to lay the groundwork for an inclusive playground that would welcome children and adults of all abilities. Spearheaded by local student Landon Georg and his family’s fundraising efforts, the initiative gained momentum and drew in a diverse array of stakeholders, including members of the disability community, county officials, and experts in accessible design.
Community Engagement: A Key Ingredient
Central to the initiative was community engagement, facilitated through the development of an Inclusive Playground Survey. This survey, launched in January 2024, sought input from residents, renters, and visitors, with a focus on understanding usage patterns, identifying challenges, and gathering recommendations for the playground’s design. The response was overwhelming, with 524 individuals contributing their perspectives and aspirations for the project.
Insights from the Survey
The survey yielded invaluable insights that will shape the future of the inclusive playground. Among the key findings were:
- Demographics and Usage Patterns: A significant majority of respondents were full-time residents of Garrett County, demonstrating local support for the project. Moreover, nearly half of the respondents had a personal connection to disabilities, highlighting the importance of creating an inclusive space within the community.
- Challenges and Needs: Mobility, behavioral, and sensory challenges emerged as primary concerns, underscoring the importance of addressing diverse needs in the playground’s design. Participants emphasized the significance of accessibility features and sensory elements to facilitate inclusive play experiences.
- Recommendations for Accessibility: Respondents stressed the importance of physical accessibility, safety, and universal design principles. They advocated for a blend of physical, imaginative, and nature-based play elements to cater to a wide range of preferences and abilities.
- Community Support: The overwhelming willingness of respondents to contribute to fundraising efforts underscores the strong community backing for the project. This outpouring of support serves as a testament to the shared commitment to inclusivity within the Deep Creek Lake community.
Moving Forward with Purpose
Armed with the insights gleaned from the survey, the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club is poised to translate vision into reality. The next steps involve fundraising, program management, and site allocation, with a steadfast commitment to ensuring that every aspect of the playground reflects the principles of inclusivity and accessibility.
A Call to Action
As the journey towards inclusivity unfolds, the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club invites all members of the community to join hands in this transformative endeavor. Whether through participation in fundraising efforts, sharing feedback, or simply spreading awareness, every contribution makes a difference. Together, we can create a playground where every child can laugh, play, and thrive, regardless of ability.
Get Involved
For those eager to lend their support or learn more about the project, the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club encourages reaching out via email at DCLLIONS@gmail.com or by phone at 323-325-5466. Additionally, detailed information, including the executive summary and full survey report, can be found on the club’s website at https://deepcreeklions.org/park-projects/handicap-accessible-playground.
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Jay Ferguson
Who I Am
My name is Jay Ferguson, and I am a lifelong resident of the Deep Creek Lake area. I am also co-owner of the real estate side of Taylor Made. I have been in the real estate business for 21+ years now and I LOVE what I do! I have to say, my career really took off when I co-founded the real estate side of Taylor Made in 2014. Its been an amazing experience, building a real estate company from the ground up and achieving so much so quickly! In August 2016, we purchased Long & Foster Real Estate Deep Creek, where I had started my career in 2000. In 2018, we on-boarded virtually every agent from Coldwell Banker Deep Creek Realty as they closed up shop and the real estate family grew even more! We now have over 40 sales agents and have expanded to West Virginia and Pennsylvania, as well. Taylor Made is the #1 vacation rental company at Deep Creek with over 475 vacation rental homes, and over one hundred thousand yearly visitors. Its amazing what we have accomplished using the principles of honesty, teamwork and customer service!
Personally, my wife Jessica and I enjoy traveling and especially spending time in the outdoors, hiking and exploring the many diverse areas that Garrett County is naturally blessed with. We have raised two wonderful children here, Kayleah (22) and Noah (13). In the summer, we love spending time on the water with friends & family and enjoying the lake life! We are both active in our church, our community & local school activities, and we fill our schedule with plenty of volunteer efforts. I currently serve on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity. I am proud to say that I was named Deep Creek Time’s Favorite ‘Community Champion’ in 2019. I was also named Garrett County Realtor of the Year in 2018-19, as well.
I really enjoy promoting my hometown. I am very proud of the resort area that has developed over my lifetime and look forward to growing the area even more! Deep Creek Lake has been described as ‘The Lake Tahoe of the east', and I think that speaks volumes about the potential to own property here! Deep Creek Lake isn't really a town or city by itself; it's comprised of three towns: Oakland, Swanton & McHenry, Maryland. I am very passionate about my hometown and am impressed with how many people know about it as we travel around the country. Deep Creek Lake is an amazing place to visit and even better place to live! During the pandemic in 2020, our market exploded and more and more people left their primary residence in the city to live here permanently. With distance learning in schools and tele-commuting becoming the ‘norm’, many more people were drawn to the area to ‘live where they love to play’.
Why You Want Me Working for You: In addition to being an owner, I am consistently one of the top-producing agents in the entire area and the Associate Broker of record for Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. I have 21+ years of experience and I am a problem solver. There aren’t many situations that I have not encountered and I have a strategy for almost every scenario that you may encounter. I
have extensively trained in all areas of real estate & emerging technologies, and also have trained as an appraiser, as well as served as a full-time Broker. I have a strong knowledge of the industry, as well as many trusted local contacts & affiliations that allow me to perform at a very high level and deliver results. I have a great deal of respect for my peers in this industry and have strong working relationships that I would love to put to work for you.
Call me to discuss your situation - I know I can be of great service to you & others you care about!
Honesty. Integrity. Results.
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