Her reminiscing started one warm summer evening...
Her reminiscing started one warm summer evening in 2019 when Megan and her young daughter, Tenley were at Broidy Park in Pictou. Megan sadly noticed that there was no one else in the park except for the two of them, the park deserted. She felt a longing for the days of riding her bike with friends, playing ball, and fun-filled trips to the playground where the air was filled with sound of kids laughing, chasing each other, and pure joy. This was her moment to decide what she could do to bring back those days for kids in Pictou where she played in the summers of her youth. She decided that constructing a splash pad at Broidy Park for everyone to enjoy can be a place where new memories could be made for the community and her children.
This determined mom didn’t waste any time moving her idea forward. Megan shared, “I had a meeting with the Pictou Recreation department in the late summer of 2019, and by October, we formed a committee of eight local moms including me,” she continued, “It has been a challenge with Covid-19, but we are determined to make this happen. And there is not much that can stop a group of determined women!” We both laughed.
I asked Megan, “How do you think you will feel once the project is complete, and you see kids using the splash pad for the first time?” She smiled, “We are all looking forward to that day!” she lit up, “I cannot wait to see children playing in the splash pad. To see the joy on their faces, hear their giggles knowing they are making childhood memories without even realizing it. Priceless!”
I left our conversation feeling inspired. Feeling like maybe we cannot change the whole world, but we can change our little part of it. If we work together, we can accomplish anything. One idea at a time.
I believe Margaret Mead said it best, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”