Jamie Vann is a creative, energetic personality paying it forward by building the 2nd, fully accessible amusement park, in the World, in St. Louis, MO. Complete with rides and attractions, a splash park, ice rink, and a year-round greenhouse for national and international visitors and employment opportunities for ALL abilities and our transitioning Veterans.
She is also a mom of 2 teenage hockey players, boy and a girl- not 2 boys
What is Jamie's goal in life? What is the Spirit of Discovery park? (3:08)
- Jamie says the park is a concept they are bringing to life in St. Louis that will be the second fully accessible amusement park in the world. This means that all abilities can come and enjoy.
- She feels that although life-changing things happen to people all the time, it should not end the joy you can experience with your family.
- She came up with the idea when her son was in kindergarten. A friend mentioned another fully accessible park and the fact that her friend's family couldn't go to Disney because of a disability. She was upset that people couldn't enjoy going to a place like Disneyland.
- Her friend told her about their experience at the existing fully accessible amusement, and she immediately decided she wanted to make something like that come to life in St. Louis.
- She decided to call Morgan's Wonderland and asked them what she had to do to open a park in St. Louis. She was immediately transferred to people who could help her make it happen, and five years later, the park is a reality.
What is the current status of the development of the spirit of Discovery Park? (8:18)
- Jamie says they are still searching for a home for the amusement park and that finding 35 acres of flat land in Missouri is challenging.
- They are in conversations right now with what she hopes and foresees as being a potential home. At this time, she cannot disclose where but they've made it further through the process with this potential home than with any previous possibility.
- Everything is in motion, but their greatest obstacle is procuring land for the park.
The contribution of the Vann family is touching so many lives now and in the future. What did Jeff do with his hockey that is pretty special?
- Jamie starts by saying Jeff is the Ying to her Yang. He is the level headed person in the family.
- She says, when she told him that she wants to start the park, he told her to go ahead and supported her. He could see that she is persistent.
- Jeff told her to make sure the park has an ice rink. At the time, she put the board together for the park, and they decided to print their business cards with Braille on them.
- When she received her business card, she couldn't wait to give it to someone who was blind, she thought she'd give it to her high school history teacher, but when she went to the shopping center, she saw a blind person, gave her the card and drove off.
- A few hours later, she received a phone call from the lady who then enquired about the ice rink. The whole thing led to a person sponsoring a tri blind hockey event with equipment if they advertised the event. After the event, the person left all the equipment with them as a donation.
- They weren't sure what to do with all the equipment and took it to the amusement park board, who voted on them putting a team together with Jeff. He's been coaching the blind hockey team ever since.
What can we do to help the Spirit of Discovery Park? (30:18)
- Jamie says the best we people can help is by spreading awareness because they are coming and they are going to need funds.
- The Spirit of Discovery Parks is a non-profit organization that will need to raise money.
- People can go to the website at spiritofdiscoverypark.com or reach out to Jamie personally and determine what they could do to help.
- She is open to speaking to anyone and everyone who may have ideas that could help.
Spirit Of Discovery Park
The Spirit of Discovery Park's vision is to build a fully accessible theme park where EVERY body can belong. Children and adults of all ages and abilities will enjoy every aspect of an amusement park, from the instant they enter because every aspect of the park is designed just for them.
Resources:
Jamie's email: jamie@spiritofdiscoverypark.com
Jamie's phone number: +1 314 283 5266
Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Bill Ellis
bill@brandingpillars.com
bill@brandingforresults.com
+1 314-807-0923
www.brandingpillars.com
www.brandingforresults.com
Connect with Bill on LinkedIn
Connect with Bill on Facebook
Bill's Instagram: @wcellis
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