Adults with special needs recently gathered at Tunes by the Tridge in Downtown Midland as part of the city’s Lifetime Education and Activity Program, or LEAP. The weekly concert series is one of several community outings offered through LEAP’s eight-week summer schedule.
The program is operated by the City of Midland Parks and Recreation Department.
Kyle Alexander, a clerical aide with the department, said the program aims to create opportunities for participants to engage with the community.
“LEAP is a lifetime education and experiences program, and it's designed to essentially provide just that, experiences within the community for adults with disabilities,” Alexander said. “We try to make the program about as dynamic as possible visiting various parts of the city.”
Tunes by the Tridge is a free concert series hosted at the foot of the Tridge pedestrian bridge in downtown Midland. The event is open to the public and features a variety of local performers throughout the summer.
The July 10 concert featured The Resonators, a local percussion-focused band made up of students ranging from elementary to high school age. The group performs at community events throughout the region and rehearses weekly during the school year.
Jim Fulkerson, the group’s director, said events like Tunes by the Tridge allow performers and audiences to connect across different backgrounds.
“We enjoy performing for anybody, but it's just when the audience is excited about what you're doing and you're trying, you're kind of making a difference in their day,” Fulkerson said. “That's what it's all about.”
He said while The Resonators haven’t specifically played for special needs audiences before, crowds often respond with enthusiasm.
“They just seem really excited about the music and watching it and just having a great time,” he said.
LEAP participants attend the Thursday night concert series each week. Alexander said it’s one of the most popular events on the program’s calendar.
“It’s usually the same people coming out every night, and occasionally we get new people, which is pretty awesome,” he said. “We always try to bring out... field games and activities...to keep everybody... entertained.”
LEAP runs Monday through Thursday from June 16 to August 7. The program is open to individuals ages 18 and older with special needs and is designed to provide social, recreational and skill-building experiences throughout the city.
This summer’s schedule includes visits to the Midland Fire Department, Creative 360, Dow Gardens and the Roll Arena, along with a new partnership at Dublin Down Ranch. LEAP also hosted a pickleball clinic in collaboration with the Midland Tennis Center, which Alexander said drew over a dozen participants.
The program also meets at the City Forest Chalet and is designed to be flexible based on participant needs and interests.
“We also stay ready to pivot and change those plans at any point, which we've had to make multiple pivots this season,” Alexander said. “It's just something that kind of comes along with the nature of these types of programs, and I'd have to say that Midland does a pretty great job.”
Alexander said not every participant attends every event, but many show signs of growth over the course of the summer.
“We see a lot of positive growth...from all of our participants,” he said. “It's kind of a mix and you see different participants...work better with different activities, different things resonate better with each person. So it's really interesting to see how that plays out and see what activities people really gravitate towards.”
Participation is open to new members throughout the season with registration. More information is available through the City of Midland website.
Alexander said that community participation plays a role in the program’s success.
“The main thing is getting these folks involved with the culture of the city of Midland,” he said. “It’s only right that...everybody in the city of Midland gets to experience those things.”
