Communication boards are being installed at playgrounds across Owensboro’s city parks, giving children of all abilities new ways to interact, play, and build friendships.
The initiative is the result of a partnership between Owensboro Public Schools, RiverValley Behavioral Health, and the City of Owensboro Parks and Recreation Department. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday at Moreland Park, though the boards are being placed at multiple parks citywide.
Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta, president and CEO of RiverValley Behavioral Health, said the effort builds on a similar initiative launched last year in local schools.
“We partnered with Owensboro Public Schools to bring communication boards to every elementary school and preschool playground,” Figueroa-Peralta said. “We provide services to children and families with autism, developmental delays, and other communication challenges, and one of the places they sometimes feel isolated is during play.”
She said the success of those school-based boards led to expanding the concept into public spaces.
“We wanted to take it a step further because we know inclusion should not stop when the school bell rings,” she said. “Parks are where families gather and where children have the potential to build friendships and where community truly happens.”
The boards feature pictures, symbols, and simple words that allow children — including those who are nonverbal or learning English — to communicate basic needs and ideas such as “play,” “stop,” “bathroom,” or activities such as using the slide.
Carrie Wedding, director of special education for Owensboro Public Schools, said the boards are designed to remove barriers for children who may struggle to communicate.
“For us, we believe that all kids can do all things, but sometimes there are barriers for kids to access things that everybody else can access,” Wedding said. “This is just an easy thing to do to break the barrier so that you can have access to things just like everybody else can.”
Wedding said the boards mirror tools already used in classrooms, helping students apply those communication skills in real-world settings.
“It’s all about how our kids transition out into the real world,” she said. “It’s just another bridge for them to go from school out into the community.”
RiverValley Behavioral Health provided funding for the boards, while the City handled installation. Amanda Rogers, director of Owensboro Parks and Recreation, said the project was an easy decision once it was presented.
“This is a wonderful project,” Rogers said. “It’s been a great partnership to make this communication tool available to the public.”
Rogers said playgrounds are often a child’s first opportunity to socialize independently, making communication especially important.
“Playgrounds are one of the first places kids go to socialize with other children,” she said. “If you’ve got a child who doesn’t speak English or is nonverbal, that limits that interaction. This expands the potential for interaction for all.”
She added that the boards can also benefit children who are learning English as a second language, creating a more inclusive environment for a wider range of families.
Figueroa-Peralta said the initiative aligns directly with RiverValley’s mission to improve mental health and well-being through connection and inclusion.
“Communication is foundational to mental health and well-being,” she said. “When someone is not integrated and they don’t feel heard and valued, there is a lot of frustration and anxiety. This initiative supports making sure every child in every space in the community is heard.”
Wedding said early feedback from schools has been encouraging, with teachers requesting materials to help students learn how to use the boards and sharing examples of children actively engaging with them.
“It’s been really cool,” she said. “Something so simple can make such a huge difference.”
Community leaders say the collaboration highlights Owensboro’s broader commitment to inclusion.
“This is yet another way that Owensboro is a very inclusive community,” Wedding said. “We truly want everybody to have the opportunity to participate in everything that we have to offer.”
By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times