Harpers Playground
Play is the Way. Harper is the Hero.
The title of this blog are phrases from our visit. Spoken by Cody, Harper's Dad.
The Angels walked onto the playground Friday afternoon and witnessed the buzzing scene – babies on swings, toddlers in a sand pit, and something you don’t normally see at parks – kids in wheelchairs. The ground was still dewy and we were a little foggy, and here rolls up Cody. Cody brought a guest. It was Harper. Her golden brown hair soft, wispy and shining in the morning sun, pulled back by a few pins. Her soft, fair and fuzzy skin surrounding her long body. But it was her face that stole the show. Glossy, blue, deep-set eyes that speak to you, even though her voice is never heard. Her face is perfectly sprinkled with freckles surrounding her flawless little nose. Bound to a chair she’s present in everything. We greeted, chatted and then dove in.
Cody took Harper to the enclosed swing. Sure, you’ve seen the kind. He instantly jumped into Harpers story – how she had been on the Today Show and how she is the real star – we stopped him. We needed to know about Cody. Far too often, champions like Cody fail to recognize themselves. That’s a part of what the Angels do. Cody had a big and exciting career pre-family. He worked in the action sports division for adidas and was a talent recruiter for Red Bull. He was also once a musician with long hair who probably wore flip flops everywhere and traveled throughout Mexico playing. Cody and his wife April also have another 7 yr. old daughter named Lennon. Hence the musician reference. Ben Harper and John Lennon are namesakes to their kids. One thing not mentioned in our observations yet was the law of attraction Cody radiates. When people talk about God having a plan, this is one of those life stories. Seemingly everything in his life was mapped out. It’s how he met his wife, how he successfully launched Harper's Playground and everything in between. I won’t dive into the details, just trust me. Maybe it’s because he was raised by parents who implored social justice onto him. Whatever did it, this guy was planned.
I can’t tell you Harper’s condition, it’s not important. She’s uses wheels to get around. What is important is this Dad with so much fortitude who is determined to change the playground landscape for the nation. Out with the old traditional play structure – where Cody tells us about the studies that show the exclusion statistics and follow-the-leader type of behaviors displayed on those things – whereas on these open-nature playgrounds kids and adults of all abilities are on same playing field! After talking to Cody for 10 minutes you realize he’s become a novice scientist of sorts studying child behaviors. He spoke philosophies I can’t repeat and only mildly understand. Things like: play is energy. It’s a wave length where you get lost in the zone and allows you to be in the moment. And, no jerks are allowed. Did your inner child just tap you on the shoulder? Good. My point is he’s dedicated his life to understand play. Every inch of this playground was intentional – instead of mulch its AstroTurf ramps, instead of bars its closed-in Plexiglas merry-go-rounds. You get the picture.
Lastly, I’ll leave you with this. We sat with Cody for nearly two hours – he told us the turning points of launching Harpers, the upheaval battles and how the community responded to get things going. He shared his dreams of having sidewalk chalk at every cross walk and Lennon Land in Central Park (funded by Yoko Ono nonetheless), and how groups and camps visit the park. We watched a school playground across the street remain empty while Harper's Playground was booming with every sort of child and family you can imagine – diversity at its greatest, people! At its greatest! He told us how he attends countless neighborhood meetings, speaks at national conventions on the topic, and he’s even begun developing a how-to book, which the Charlie’s of the Angels will be helping to move along. In our final words, as he was gathering himself to go meet with his mentor – another friend of the Angels mind-you, I told you his life was mapped out right, he told us this: “If you knew how important play is, you would know that everyone should get it. If no other kids were like Harper – the grounds would still need to be here.” While Harper definitely wears the crown, if you ask me, Cody is most certainly the hero too.
If you want to get involved, attend the summer soiree on Saturday, Sept. 24th at Harper's Playground. Voodoo Doughnut, the Portland Timbers and the local Fire Department are supporters. Regence and Gerding Edlen are too… just to name a few. It’s going to be an outdoor blast! Not your typical suit and tie affair – phew! Check out the Facebook page here. FWIW, I (Jan) felt so attracted to this family and mission that I am on the ad-hoc committee for the event and will oversee a few things. Cody has already given me my Harper’s Playground trucker hat and swag bag to have me feel a part of it! Otherwise just show your support and advocate for all-inclusive playgrounds every chance you get! You’d be touching so many lives. Who knows one day it may be a child of yours.
Peace and love,
Jan and the Squad.
Jan M. Block Krista Tappan Refinement Wagner Natasha Strength