Ground broken for Levi's Adventure Trail

Superheroes, supporters, friends and family gathered behind Discovery Playhouse on Tuesday afternoon to participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for Levi's Adventure Trail.

The outdoor exhibit is in honor of Levi Collom, a 3-year-old from Benton, Mo., who died March 18, 2012, from Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood. Rather than focus on the tragedy, Levi's family chose to honor him by creating an exhibit that would bring his love of the outdoors to other children.

According to Levi's grandmother, Viney Mosley, he loved camping and going to the river. It was she who proposed the idea of approaching Discovery Playhouse to create the exhibit because she had so many fond memories of bringing her grandson to the museum to play.

On the day of the groundbreaking, the lot behind Discovery Playhouse that will be home to Levi's Adventure Trail was little more than gravel and few patches of dead grass. By next year, supporters hope to see a river, a tricycle track and climbing rocks, ropes and logs.

Mosley said the exhibit is a "community build project."

More than 50 friends, supporters and family members gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking for Levi's Adventure Trail, an outdoor exhibit that will be featured at Discovery Playhouse.

"All the volunteers and everyone involved is donating their time, the materials and the labor, so we have some massive contributions being donated," she said.

They have raised $105,000 in donations and $75,000 worth of materials have been given so far, and Mosley said she plans to approach local clubs and organizations for more donations to help finish the project and maintain it after its opening.

Brock Alspaugh, one of the supporters helping Levi's family make his exhibit a reality, said they were grateful for the patience of the donors who contributed early in its planning.

"Obviously, we're here doing the groundbreaking today, so this is going to happen and it's going to be awesome," he said.

Alspaugh said Tuesday's event was not just about Levi and his family, but all the children that will be inspired by his legacy when they visit the adventure trail.

" ... We're here to celebrate life. We're here to celebrate dreams and making those dreams come true, because this has been a dream for the family," he said. "We're just here to try and make that happen for them and celebrate the dreams of all the kids that will come and be here at Discovery Playhouse ... and show them that if you persevere and do the right thing, dreams can come true."

The groundbreaking ceremony also featured Lightning Speed Levi, Volcano Magma, Eco Mom and Geothermal Equalizer -- superheroes of Levi's Adventure Crew -- and a bubble-blowing celebration.

Those interested in donating or volunteering for future events may visit levisadventuretrail.com or contact Mosley at 450-9415 or vmosley@hi-techcom.com.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

502 Broadway St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.