By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of a beloved community that leaves no one out, welcomes inclusivity and diversity and is united.
Ryan Wichman, a Bowling Green native and WTOL-11 meteorologist, honored that dream as the inspiration behind two inclusive playgrounds in Wood County. And for his leadership in Wood County Plays, the nonprofit organization that built the Rally Cap Sports Inclusive Playground at Carter Park, the Bowling Green Human Relations Commission honored him as the 2023 Drum Major for Peace Award recipient on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Wichman and his wife, Kaley, saw the need for inclusive playgrounds when their son, Grant, was two-and-a-half-years-old. They took him and his walker to a local park for a playdate with typically developing kids. He couldn’t navigate the play space or engage in meaningful play with his peers.
“Instead of staying cemented in the grief and frustration that their son was unable to play, this couple made a big decision to put their focus on positive change that would benefit the entire community,” said Katie Bochi, a colleague on the Wood County Plays board and the keynote speaker Monday night.
“Wood County Plays was born from the heart of the Wichman family and grew into a dedicated group of professionals who shared in the same dream—that all kids should have the ability to experience play side by side,” Bochi said.
In accepting the award, Wichman said, “This is an incredible honor, but I feel a little uncomfortable receiving this individual award for something that obviously took an entire community to put together, to fund raise, to see a vision for and to build.”
He recognized his wife for standing beside him throughout the process and thanked the hundreds of people who volunteered and helped make the playgrounds a reality. The Bowling Green playground was officially opened in November 2022.
“This is going to be something that lives on for the community, and our genuine hope for these play spaces is for kids at a young age to see that we all develop at different speeds, at our own speed, and that’s OK. Hopefully they take that fundamental understanding from childhood into adulthood and develop a community that has a lot of fibers that connects us even stronger as a community of understanding, compassion and humility.”
According to Ellie Boyle, chairperson of the Bowling Green Human Relations Commission, “The award is given to someone who benefits the Bowling Green community and exemplifies the teaching and values of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service.”
In Bochi’s talk, using words from other board members, she explained how Wichman embodied the seven values attributed to King.
Board member Laura said, “Ryan really did have courage to keep asking for money. He never let on that he was intimidated by the large number we had to raise for this to be successful. I don’t think anyone else on the team would have continued to rally without his courage.”
Wichman shared his own personal truth with the community, according to board
member Jamie. “He and his family have opened a window in their lives sharing a realistic picture of how the lack of accessibility has impacted their family. He was unafraid and willing to share his truth to help fun an inclusive playground.”
His leadership of the nonprofit organization has been about justice for the children who are too young to advocate for themselves. “The first time I spoke to him, he spoke passionately about doing the right and fair things for kids like ours.,” said Erica.
“Ryan displayed his compassion throughout the journey,” said board member Margie. “He considered the needs of many and was sensitive to their concerns whether it be a visual impairment, sensory issue or any other limitation. He wanted the space for all to play together.”
Three board members, Katie, Kaley and Laura, addressed how he demonstrated the importance of dignity “for those who may have not yet felt it from the heart of their community.” The creation of the playground “validated the dignity of identity and shed a light on the importance of recognizing universal human dignity.”
Carly’s words for humility described Wichman as “thinking of yourself less.” He pulled together a team of dreamers, each with their own stories, to work together to create a place for all to play.
For service, the final value, Bochi quoted Dr. King, who once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing to help others?’”
“Ryan and Kaley answered this question. Inspired by their son, driven to be the change in the local community, they have dedicated the last several years of their lives to the service of others,” she said. “Whether it was your intention or not, through the playground build, you’ve ensured people have the opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves. From the design to the fundraising to the build, every step of the way you’ve relied on, reached out to and encouraged the local community to take ownership and make this project theirs as well.
Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher thanked the commission, the speakers and the musicians, Ariel Kasler, who performed on piano “Alabama” by John Coltrane, and Mike Williams, whose 2022 Juneteenth saxophone performance was shown.
“We appreciate the efforts that the city’s Human Relations Commission, Not In Our Town and others do to raise awareness and highlight the need for us to continue to work together to help make Bowling Green a community that is inclusive, welcoming and tolerant of all the people who visit or call Bowling Green home,” Aspacher said,
