The school board just confirmed that the playground will officially bear Ronnie's name. I am overwhelmed knowing that his legacy of kindness will remain a permanent part of the school grounds for future generations. Thank you for helping me honor the man who taught us all how to be better …
July 12, 2017
Final supporters
We would like to officially name the playground at Cherry Road School the "Ronnie Paxson Playground." Ronnie is a mentally challenged man who has touched the lives of thousands of children at Cherry Road School over a period of several decades. As the "Unofficial Mayor of Westvale", most everybody with any connection to Cherry Road School has formed a relationship with Ronnie. Ronnie literally spent more years at Cherry Road School than any employee who ever worked there.
In a time before "inclusion" was even an educational term, Ronnie used the playground at Cherry Road School as his classroom to teach us several life lessons. He taught us that some people are differently abled than others, and that is ok. He taught us to play fairly and not to fight. In an era when bullying people with disabilities was commonplace, there was never any such activity with Ronnie around. Ronnie was our big brother, our uncle, our coach, our unconditional friend.
Now in his seventies, Ronnie is no longer a fixure at the Cherry Road School playground. Today's children will never know the pleasure of having Ronnie in their lives. It is our hope that naming the playground "Ronnie Paxson Playground" will keep the legacy of this extraordinary man alive at Cherry Road School.
Updates
June 30, 2017
Seeing 500 names on this list is overwhelming because it proves how many lives Ronnie touched at the school. Thinking of him sitting on that swing reminds me why this matters so much to our community.
Reached 500 supporters
June 28, 2017
June 17, 2017
Seeing this much support for Ronnie brings back so many memories of the kindness he showed us on that playground. It feels like the community is finally honoring the man who taught us all how to be better to one another.
Reached 100 supporters
May 13, 2017
229 Comments
I raised my children on E. Clover Rd and, when small, their babysitter lived next door to Ronnie. He was such an important part of our lives and I can think of no better way to honor all that he did for the children of the Westhill district than to name the playground for him.
I remember Ronnie so very well growing up. We lived a few houses from him. He was always kind, considerate and loved helping people out. A very friendly person who really cared about all of us kids. Naming the park after him would be a true testament and an honor for him and his family.
What a magnificent idea! The playground has been Ronnie Paxson's domain for generations, and high time to make it official. He was everyone's babysitter/big brother, keeping an eye out over all of us. Have missed seeing him in Westvale. He is a treasure!
I'm 58 years old and even I remember Ronnie when I was a Student at Cherry Road. Even when some kids would taunt him, he never got angry or upset. He set a great example for everybody and should always be remembered. A bench or a tree is not enough!
417 Cherry Rd., Westhill 1971. To this very day I think of him. When a community has a remarkable legacy who teaches not reading, writing, and arithmetic, but acceptance and generosity to generations of kids, that's a legacy to cherish and honor and a true teaching opportunity.
I lived 4 doors down the road on Parsons Dr. He was as much of a fixture in the neighborhood as he was at CRS. Nice man
He was, and is, a wonderful spirit.
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The school board just confirmed that the playground will officially bear Ronnie's name. I am overwhelmed knowing that his legacy of kindness will remain a permanent part of the school grounds for future generations. Thank you for helping me honor the man who taught us all how to be better …
July 12, 2017
Final supporters
We would like to officially name the playground at Cherry Road School the "Ronnie Paxson Playground." Ronnie is a mentally challenged man who has touched the lives of thousands of children at Cherry Road School over a period of several decades. As the "Unofficial Mayor of Westvale", most everybody with any connection to Cherry Road School has formed a relationship with Ronnie. Ronnie literally spent more years at Cherry Road School than any employee who ever worked there.
In a time before "inclusion" was even an educational term, Ronnie used the playground at Cherry Road School as his classroom to teach us several life lessons. He taught us that some people are differently abled than others, and that is ok. He taught us to play fairly and not to fight. In an era when bullying people with disabilities was commonplace, there was never any such activity with Ronnie around. Ronnie was our big brother, our uncle, our coach, our unconditional friend.
Now in his seventies, Ronnie is no longer a fixure at the Cherry Road School playground. Today's children will never know the pleasure of having Ronnie in their lives. It is our hope that naming the playground "Ronnie Paxson Playground" will keep the legacy of this extraordinary man alive at Cherry Road School.
Updates
June 30, 2017
Seeing 500 names on this list is overwhelming because it proves how many lives Ronnie touched at the school. Thinking of him sitting on that swing reminds me why this matters so much to our community.
Reached 500 supporters
June 28, 2017
June 17, 2017
Seeing this much support for Ronnie brings back so many memories of the kindness he showed us on that playground. It feels like the community is finally honoring the man who taught us all how to be better to one another.
Reached 100 supporters
May 13, 2017
229 Comments
Brilliant idea. Ronnie is a part of so many of my siblings & my childhood memories - pushing us way too high on swings, eating popsicles in our front yard on Parsons Drive, even participating in the Parks & Rec activities when I was a counselor at Cherry Road. He was a Westvale celebrity!
I raised my children on E. Clover Rd and, when small, their babysitter lived next door to Ronnie. He was such an important part of our lives and I can think of no better way to honor all that he did for the children of the Westhill district than to name the playground for him.
I remember Ronnie so very well growing up. We lived a few houses from him. He was always kind, considerate and loved helping people out. A very friendly person who really cared about all of us kids. Naming the park after him would be a true testament and an honor for him and his family.
What a magnificent idea! The playground has been Ronnie Paxson's domain for generations, and high time to make it official. He was everyone's babysitter/big brother, keeping an eye out over all of us. Have missed seeing him in Westvale. He is a treasure!
I'm 58 years old and even I remember Ronnie when I was a Student at Cherry Road. Even when some kids would taunt him, he never got angry or upset. He set a great example for everybody and should always be remembered. A bench or a tree is not enough!
417 Cherry Rd., Westhill 1971. To this very day I think of him. When a community has a remarkable legacy who teaches not reading, writing, and arithmetic, but acceptance and generosity to generations of kids, that's a legacy to cherish and honor and a true teaching opportunity.
I lived 4 doors down the road on Parsons Dr. He was as much of a fixture in the neighborhood as he was at CRS. Nice man
He was, and is, a wonderful spirit.
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Brilliant idea. Ronnie is a part of so many of my siblings & my childhood memories - pushing us way too high on swings, eating popsicles in our front yard on Parsons Drive, even participating in the Parks & Rec activities when I was a counselor at Cherry Road. He was a Westvale celebrity!