O'Fallon Residents Honored For Parks Work

The Missouri Parks and Recreation Association recently honored residents for their dedication to promoting

Both Ward 1 Councilman Bill Gardner and the O'Fallon non-profit organization, Unlimited Play, Inc., were recognized at a recent City Council meeting.

Cindy Springer, O'Fallon director of parks and recreation, said the awards go to people and organizations that go out of their way to further the benefits of the programs and facilities in their community.

She said Gardner fit the bill, because for over 20 years he's volunteered with parks and recreation in O'Fallon.

"I can honestly tell you that there's probably not a program or project that has not been touched by his hands," she said. 

Gardner said he was proud of the award and the parks and recreation program in O'Fallon.

"This is something that no matter what kind of economic time you have, that's something you always need to promote, is parks and recreation," he said.

Unlimited Play, Inc. was the organizational winner, recognized for the instrumental role they played in bringing the all-inclusive to O'Fallon in 2011. 

Unlimited Play, Inc. was founded by Todd and Natalie Blakemore in 2003.

The organization to children of all abilities is a full-time job and passion for Natalie Blakemore and her partner Victoria Schmitt Babb.

They work together to raise money, design the playgrounds and spread a message of understanding differences through the universal language of play.

"They helped us tremendously in building Brendan's Playground and without their efforts, it would not have happened," Springer said.