'We thank you'

MILTON — The Agency for Persons with Disabilities and other partners cut the ribbon on Hawkins Park, which facilitates persons with disabilities, at 5550 Bubba Lane in Milton off Munson Highway. The ribbon-cutting follows $93,000 in renovations.

Richard Fennell had a party for his disabled daughter, Jennifer, along with extended family at Hawkins Park Feb. 5. He appreciated the improvements.

“We were able to come over here and utilize the facilities … We cooked hot dogs, had a big spread. It just gave us a place she could get involved with. She really enjoyed it. She enjoyed having her family with her. We appreciate what’s being done here. We thank you,” Fennell said.

The park has playground equipment that includes a swing made for wheelchair-users. Fennell said his daughter liked the swing so much she fell asleep in it.

There are also pavilions with grills that can house special events for gatherings. APD also refurbished the bathrooms, according to APD Communications Director Melanie Etters.

In 1977, the Hawkins family donated the 23-acre parcel to the state of Florida on the condition that only people with disabilities have access to it. However, over the years, vandals and hurricanes made the park inaccessible, Etters said.

Going forward, the APD will combat the criminal element with a constant presence at the park.

“With an agreement with RESPECT, we’ll have an individual from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. here to work, clean and help people with barbecues. In the past, there was no one on site,” she said.

“RESPECT is a program that’s created to focus on employing people with disabilities … We do things like maintain the interstate rest areas all around the state, various buildings with state agencies, cities, counties, all levels of Florida government,” RESPECT of Florida Executive Director Ryland Musick said.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'We thank you'