Parks & Rec helps injured Soldiers heal,
move ahead

by Nathan Walls
Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation

The Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation staff worked quickly to install benches along the walkway at Mazarick Park. Within an hour, resting spots had been strategically placed in the shade so the special visitors could relax and take a well-deserved break. These weren’t just any visitors - they were injured Soldiers in the Warrior Activity Recreational Sports program, some of whom suffer from traumatic brain injury or shrapnel in their legs.

 The servicemembers in the Warrior Transition Battalion have been going to local parks, along with their Families, as part of their summer 12-week therapeutic recreation program. Parks are reserved for them by Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation staff during their scheduled program dates, held in the summer, fall, winter and spring, with different participants each season. The venture is a collaboration between Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation, Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Womack Army Medical Center and the WTB.

Thanks to Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation, the Soldiers received a warm welcome from staff, enjoyed walking and tennis, played with their Families on the playground and have been able to fish on the ADA accessible pier at Glenville Lake in Mazarick Park. During the spring WARS program at Lake Rim, participants completed a gardening project. The activities help Soldiers, some of whom who are leaving the military, get acclimated to civilian life by visiting parks in the city of Fayetteville and assisting them with socialization skills.

“Many Soldiers in the program are leaving the military and it is important for them to be aware of what is available in the community,” said Theresa Shields, a therapeutic recreation specialist and the FMWR coordinator for WARS. “It’s a great way for warriors in transition to get familiar with leisure and recreation opportunities in Fayetteville, a form of community reintegration.

“We are trying our hardest to get Soldiers out of the barracks to help decrease depression and anxiety symptoms and get them socializing with others. This program helps Soldiers who are going back to civilian life or Soldiers who just need a change of scenery.”

Shields said she is impressed with the support from Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation. The fast turnaround time on the request to add benches sold her on the department’s willingness to make a difference in the service members’ lives.
“That was a wonderful thing to do so quickly,” she said.

 Having Fred Clark, who retired from the Army in 1992, on staff to help coordinate the effort, may have sped up the pace.

Clark, a program coordinator for Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation, served for 20 years and four months in the Army and said he knows what it’s like to recover from military-related injuries.

Clark had four major surgeries, two each on both legs, for compartment syndrome in 1989 and 1990, and was in a medical hold unit for his last two-to-three months of service. Clark couldn’t feel his feet because he had a lack of circulation in his lower legs. For him, it’s been a labor of love to assist the members of the WARS program.

“I have enjoyed working with the Soldiers and getting to meet them, talk with them and see some of the hardships they’ve had,” Clark said. “They’re playing tennis and walking the trails, so it’s cool to see that.”

The fishing pier at Glenville Lake is a favorite for some participants.

 “Mazarick Park is such a wonderful asset that most people don’t even know is here,” Shields said.

 For the Soldiers, every activity helps them heal and move ahead. The 25 Soldiers definitely seemed to have benefited from the twice-a-week program, which ended for the season Oct. 8.
 “They’re trying to overcome some physical and mental barriers,” Clark said. “It’s good for them to get out in the community and get some exercise.”

The fall WARS is still being planned and dates will be available soon. Considering future WARS programs, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation is looking into grants that would offer more equipment.

“It would make this partnership even better if we can get some additional equipment,” Clark said. “These Soldiers deserve all the opportunities we can give them to make their lives more enjoyable.”

For more information, contact Fred Clark at 433-1395 or Theresa Shields at 850-2637.