AYNOR, SC (WBTW) – A family in Aynor wants a playground for special needs children built in the town. 

Layla Harrelson, 8, has a rare genetic disorder called Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. It’s a genetic disorder stunting the development of her speech and motor skills. Layla’s parents want to help her and other children with special needs have fun outside.

While Aynor offers a playground and several parks, Layla is limited to only using the slide due to her disorder, and parents of the bubbly 8-year-old want to make an improvement – not just for their daughter, but other community children in positions similar to Layla.

“She has an older sister and a younger brother, and her favorite thing to do is watch them play,” says Layla’s mother, April McHugh. “But we want her to be able to do more than watch.”

Layla’s wheelchair can’t go through the sand at the Aynor playground, so her family wants a special needs playground in the community.

“Realistically, the whole western side of the county, there’s a great need for facilities that allow special needs children to play with their brothers and sisters and other children,” explains Layla’s father, Johnny Harrelson.

The only special needs playground in Horry County is Savannah’s Playground at the Market Common in Myrtle Beach.

Layla’s family has made the hour-long trip from Aynor.

“She slid for the first time on a slide at Savannah’s Playground because we could fit up there with her,” McHugh said.

Layla’s father asked for the town’s help at Tuesday’s town council meeting. The mayor says he’s open to it.

“Something we’d like to start with (is) perhaps put a couple pieces of equipment out there and expand upon that,” said Aynor Mayor John Gardner.

Until then, Johnny Harrelson, McHugh and Layla’s step-father are working together to build Layla’s playground for western Horry County.

“She’s a rockstar,” Harrelson said. “Anywhere I go, I’m ‘Layla’s dad,’ and I’m very proud of that.”

Harrelson says a special needs playground could cost up to $200,000. The family is working with the town and businesses, as well as applying for grants, to start raising money. Layla’s family members plan to set up a web page soon to raise money and spread information about their ideas for the playground.

Until then, the family is asking anyone interested in helping with the project to contact the Aynor town offices.