EPHRATA — A space originally created to bring students together through inclusive play and learning now carries a deeper meaning at Ephrata Middle School.

On May 8, the Ephrata School District formally dedicated the school’s inclusive courtyard playground to Travis Eloff, a teacher and special education director who served the district for 31 years. Eloff passed away in 2024.

Family members, colleagues and community members gathered to honor Eloff’s legacy and the impact he made on generations of students. District officials said his work was grounded in a belief that inclusion is more than a location.

“Special education is not a place, but a service, commitment and the belief that every child can succeed,” the district said in a statement.

From inclusive playground to lasting tribute

The courtyard, completed in 2025, was originally designed as an accessible playground and outdoor learning space for students of all abilities.

“With the construction of our building, we had an opportunity to extend the culture of inclusion that we pride ourselves on,” EMS teacher Joan Fleming said at the time. “This playground makes it a place where everyone belongs, where everyone has access, and where kids can be together.”

As the project wrapped up, staff began discussing how to formally introduce the space and highlight its purpose. Those conversations led to the decision to dedicate it to Eloff.

“It kind of evolved out of that conversation of how we highlight that we are dedicated to inclusion,” Fleming said. “We have someone in our midst who had those same values, and it just made sense to honor him and have that legacy.”

A space built for every student

The courtyard playground combines recreation, learning and sensory support in one unified space. It includes walking paths, outdoor classroom areas, adaptive swings and cocoon-style seating designed for students who need a place to self-regulate. The space is also fully wheelchair accessible, using turf throughout the area.

“This playground has been a revelation,” Fleming said. “We’ve seen classes conduct outdoor sessions, and our life skills students have a safe and secure area to explore and engage with each other.”

Principal Tina Mullings previously said the space reflects the district’s broader mission.

“My mission is to cultivate a safe environment where every student feels at home, regardless of their abilities,” Mullings said.

Fleming said the courtyard’s design mirrors Eloff’s philosophy of special education needing to be a service, not just a space.

“When you look out and you see the kids playing, there’s no distinction between the special education students and the able-bodied students,” she said. “They’re out there laughing together. That’s not just a place – that is allowing our kids to be kids. That’s a service to our students.”

Remembering Travis Eloff

For Fleming, who was hired by Eloff, the dedication is deeply personal. She described him as both a mentor and a friend.

“He was someone who came alongside you,” she said. “He was a very good listener, never judgmental, and he helped you work through solutions.”

Eloff was known for focusing on students’ strengths rather than limitations.

“He was always thinking about what a child can do, what they’re capable of,” Fleming said. “How can we focus on the assets this child brings to our community? He never focused on the negatives.”

She added that his personality left a lasting impression on those around him.

“He was a friend, a leader and someone who cared deeply,” she said. “He just enjoyed people and believed everyone should be seen for who they are and everyone mattered.”

She said the dedication of the courtyard felt like the perfect way to remember and represent his work within the district.

“It’s a place where we can all be together,” she said. “I think that’s really indicative of Travis. He was a person who liked gatherings and gathering people.”

A community comes together

The dedication ceremony brought together those who knew Eloff best and provided a sense of closure for many.

“It was really amazing,” Fleming said. “The people who came were the people who cared about him deeply, and it was very healing.”

She said the event included both reflection and celebration, as attendees shared stories and memories.

“There were moments of laughter,” Fleming said. “It felt good to recognize someone who had done so much for kids and families for so long.”

Seeing Eloff’s family in attendance made a lasting impression, she said.

“It was a gift to them to know their dad is remembered,” she said.

Built through community effort

The courtyard playground was the result of a broad community effort that included school staff, students, the local Rotary Club, and volunteers.

“This wasn’t just a small group,” Fleming said. “So many people had their hands in it.”

Students helped prepare the space ahead of the dedication, while community partners contributed to planning and development.

“It really speaks to the strength of our community,” Fleming said.

Memorial space

The courtyard also serves as a place of remembrance beyond Eloff’s legacy. At its center stands a tree dedicated to Jett Johnson, an Ephrata High School student who died in a car accident during his sophomore year.

The inclusion adds another layer of meaning to the space, Fleming said.

“It’s already kind of been a memorial space,” Fleming said, “For those who have passed, but also looking to the future.”

A living legacy of belonging

While the courtyard playground is a physical space, school leaders say its purpose is to foster connection and inclusion every day.

“I think Travis would have been very proud that we are being intentional about all abilities being together,” Fleming said.

For Fleming, the message is simple.

“That we all matter,” she said. “Everyone matters – and that we take time to laugh, to gather and to just be together. That’s what Travis always encouraged, and I am glad we will continue living up to that legacy.”

    Students enjoy the Ephrata Middle School playground.
  

    Travis Eloff's daughters Melodie and Brandi speak at the dedication ceremony honoring their dad at Ephrata Middle School. Eloff was a longtime teacher and Special Education Director who served in the district for 31 years.