Sunshine Communities - Boardwalk & Stage

DGL was privileged to collaborate with Sunshine Communities (Sunshine), a leading and highly impactful non-profit organization in Northwest Ohio. Sunshine supports over 400 men, women, and children with developmental disabilities, offering comprehensive services that include residential, vocational, and clinical support, as well as therapeutic and recreational programs. As part of Sunshine’s mission, they strive to “strengthen our community by serving the underserved.” DGL was proud to have the opportunity to help give back to an organization that contributes so much for the well-being of others.

For over 20 years, Sunshine’s original boardwalk, in part provided by Pi Kappa Phi, offered access to the picturesque backyard of the community’s 25-acre campus. Unfortunately, the boardwalk was washed out in 2015 by a large storm, which prohibited residents, families, volunteers, and staff from experiencing all the campus has to offer. Upon hearing of the need, DGL quickly collaborated with Sunshine to develop a plan of action to construct a new boardwalk, a vital “sanctuary” for the people they support.

DGL’s team performed the site survey, site work, structural design, and construction staking, at cost. The boardwalk was designed and constructed with residents and their families in mind: it’s wheelchair accessible and allows ample space for residents who are supported by staff, which was difficult with the previous boardwalk. Equally important, our team was committed to designing a boardwalk that welcomed and embraced Sunshine’s nature goers. A boardwalk that provided a sense of place within the outdoors, one that increased feelings of happiness and health…truly, a sanctuary at Sunshine.

Volunteer Coordinator, Lori Richard, reported nearly 290 volunteers representing 14 organizations, including local companies, businesses, school and youth groups, firefighters, and technology and construction firms stepped forward with nearly 2,300 volunteer hours for this project. DGL committed to volunteering over 100 volunteer hours in addition to our design time.