PCCF recognizes child’s dream of inclusive play area

Six years ago, Lucas Fritsche had a big vision for an all-inclusive playground. While a ribbon cutting for the playground occurred in late October, the Perry County Community Foundation recognized Fritsche’s efforts and presented him with the 2021 Humanitarian of the Year Award Nov. 4.
Brave. Passionate. Driven. Those were just three of the adjectives used by Perryville Primary Center Principal Emily Koenig in a video message at Thursday’s dinner.
“He explained why he wanted this to happen…it was exciting for many reasons. Lucas, a child, saw a need. He not only saw a need, but he took one step in front of the other until it became real.”
Lucas and Friends Backyward Adventures committee member Stephanie Schmidt also provided a brief recorded message.
“This project really speaks to my heart…” she said, adding her disabled son will be able to play with her younger daughter on the same playground. “Thanks to Lucas for having this opportunity in our small little town of Perryville. I’m very excited and looking forward it to being completely done and all the kids playing there.”
Koenig was one of several individuals on a prepared video which played Thursday evening prior to the presentation of the award to Fritsche.
“Lucas, congratulations…you dreamt and you dreamt big, which is what we always wanted you to do. Congratulations, I’m so proud of you,” Koenig said.
Jessica Ruesler of County Disability Resources as well as a member of the Backyard Playground Adventure Committee, said Fritsche’s story has been inspiring for the entire community.
“Lucas’ story and inspiration for this is so inspiring at such a young age that I knew it would be something that would be great for our area,” she said. “When we looked specifically at providing individuals with varying abilities the opportunity to play, such a basic thing, but it’s so important in so many ways, whether a child or an adult, they may not have had the opportunity to do what can do on this playground. Lucas has brought a lot of inspiration to our group. He has really wanted to see this playground to come to life. I know that as a child waiting so long for something so cool to happen can be challenging but he’s kept this moving forward. His family has been so awesome. They’ve done, obviously, countless hours of work to make this happen. We see out and about at events but there’s so much happening behind the scenes that goes on. Their dedication to this has been really inspiring.
“People said I built a playground, but this community…built the playground,” Fritsche said. “All I did was just speak up about how no one should be left out and all included. So I say again, let’s all play.”
“I want to thank all of you for coming here tonight,” Fritsche. “My mom told me I had to give a speech tonight. Mostly, I don’t really like giving long speeches, so I asked her, ‘What should I say?’ She said to thank all the people who sponsored the playground. Thank you to all the people who sponsored and helped build the playground for Perryville.”

Fritsche also thanked all of those who volunteered with the project.
“I feel like this adventure has been wild since the moment I had the idea for it, and so my friend Aaron in the wheel chair wouldn’t feel left out, in my eyes, during the best part of the day, recess,” Fritsche said.
While the key component in the project was fund-raising, Fritsche mentioned a few of the other highlights for him, including making videos, the project’s groundbreaking, watching the concrete pouring as well as equipment installation. He also remembered a lot of rain leading up to the conclusion of phase 1.
“Receiving this award is very overwhelming,” he said.
Fritsche said he asked former Humanitarian of the Year Frank Robinson about the significance of earning this honor. The response from Robinson was that being a humanitarian in Perry County comes naturally to many because we all strive to make our community better.
“I feel extremely honored to be put in this category, so thank you,” he said.
Prior to the Humanitarian of the Year presentation, Perryville Mayor Ken Baer presented Fritsche with an honorary project manager plaque.
“He had a dream to build a playground, not just an ordinary playground, but a special playground, a playground for all, an all-inclusive playground,” Baer said.
Following two years of hard work and fund-raising, Fritsche has realized his dream.
The Lucas and Friends Backyard Adventures playground is now open at Robert J. Miget Memorial Park.
“Lucas is very important person,” Baer continued. “He does his own videos. He is a special guest on celebrity podcasts. He speaks to school boards and he speaks to city councils. He’s a playground project manager for the city of Perryville, Perry County and Robinson Construction Company. He does all this while being a full-time elementary school student and farmhand on the Fritsche homestead. Lucas is an inspiration for us all. His positive attitude, his can do spirit and his humanitarianism are examples for all of us to follow. We, too, can overcome our limitations and realize our dreams, just do what Lucas does.”
On behalf of the city of Perryville as well as Perry County, Baer thanked Fritsche for a job well done.