Ewing Park to Get ADA-Compliant Update: New Facility to Feature Adult Changing Table

Like going out for the day and not having to worry about finding a restroom that is easily usable.

We don’t always think about the struggles that others endure … we simply don’t even think about it.

Councilwoman Jan Williams thought about it. She thought about the individuals that frequent Ewing Park that need special facilities with features that again most of us never think of.

Williams is on a mission to bring a specialized facility to Ewing Park, specifically a facility that offers an adult changing table.

Her idea and vision is becoming reality thanks to a recent donation that she received from Forward Lawrence Chamber and Economic Alliance through Leadership Lawrence County. Williams was presented a $6,695.68 check to begin her project through Ellwood City Borough Council cooperation. Additional funding will be required to complete the project and planning will begin in May. Initial plans are to have the facility near the pool area.

Councilwoman Jan Williams (center) is pictured with Lyndsey Overby, MPR, IOM Assistant Director of Chamber Operations and Paul Bucciarelli, MBA Business Retention and Workforce Specialist at Forward Lawrence Chamber and Economic Alliance.

Lyndsey Overby, MPR, IOM, Assistant Director of Chamber Operations, at Forward Lawrence believed in this project.

“We discussed a month ago regarding the 2023 Leadership Lawrence County Class donating some funds we raised toward the handicap-accessible restroom that will hopefully be built soon at Ewing Park. We are splitting the funds to three different parks to help make ADA-compliant updates. Graduates are required to complete some sort of community project, and our class chose the improving parks and ADA-compliant updates route,” Overby said.

Williams said she is so grateful that her project was one of the three to be funded by Leadership Lawrence County.

“Ewing Park is the perfect place to have this since we have festivals, and other activities,” she said. “This will give families a dignified place to change.”

Williams said initially she had no idea how much of a need this was, but she was inspired by her sister’s friend Christina Abernethy, the Pennsylvania Chapter Leader of Changing Spaces USA. Abernethy is a tireless advocate for individuals with disabilities. She is the mom of an autistic son and is well aware of what individuals with disabilities need in order to feel safe and comfortable in their communities. She has worked with other advocates and allies in Pennsylvania to introduce a bill to the Pennsylvania legislature which, if passed, will increase the number of adult changing stations across the state.

Williams said this addition to the park will allow families the freedom to spend all day there  without the worry of leaving to find a suitable changing facility, which will be a great benefit to the community. She gave one example where this facility will be transformative and said that McGuire Memorial residents and students frequent the park and will be able to stay as long as they’d like without having to leave to find a changing area.

Adult Changing Tables can be found in the Pittsburgh airport, UPMC Children’s hospital, Marti Park in New Wilmington, the YMCA in Sewickley, among other places in PA.

Williams hopes area businesses or community members might also be inclined to donate toward the project to help have construction up and running as soon as possible.

If anyone would like to donate or has any questions they can contact the Borough of Ellwood City at the 724-758-7777 ext 4 or contact Jan Williams directly via email on the Borough of Ellwood City Website under staff directory.