Project Name: Ryan’s Ranch Project Location: Desoto County, MS Statement of Purpose:

2. Project Name: Ryan’s Ranch Project Location: Desoto County, MS Statement of Purpose: Located on 60 acres in Desoto County, Ryan’s Ranch is planned to serve as the first universally accessible and all inclusive resort destination specifically built to handle, equip, and meet the unique needs of families with special needs children. Begun by the mother of a child with severe autism, the non-profit organization has grown into an international organization with the goal of developing destinations where families can rest, recreate, and rehabilitate together. The scope of the project included finding and securing an appropriate location for a campus, analyzing the size and scope of the project through an economic feasibility study, designing the campus layout, establishing development costs, and preparing a fundraising booklet. The intent of the project was to design the Ranch as a vacation resort, where families can stay together in a place that provides relaxation as well as therapy for their special needs children. The master plan includes a main lodge, individual cabins, an equestrian center, chapel, amphitheater, tree house, universally accessible play area, pool, spray park, lakes, and horse riding trails.

3. Landscape Architect’s Role: The Landscape Architect located the property for the project, introduced Ryan’s Ranch and the landowner/ developer, and helped negotiate the land donation to the non-profit. We obtained the zoning change and entitlements to allow the property to be developed for the Ranch. The Landscape Architect served as the project lead, coordinating the architects, engineers, and other consultants. We also prepared the campus master plan and imaging and worked with a graphic designer to create a fundraising booklet.

4. Special Factors: Treatment methods at Ryan’s Ranch will be focused on equine therapy, which has shown tremendous positive effects on the development of autistic children. As such, the development is designed around a horse/ ranch theme. The equestrian center will serve as the main therapy location, with an indoor riding ring, horse stalls, physical therapy rooms, and outdoor riding ring. Miles of horse trails are provided throughout the property and into the adjoining residential neighborhood. The original location for the Ranch was intended to be in another city and state, but the adjacent residents opposed the idea of a horse retreat in their neighborhood. Having worked as the planners for a horse trail community in Desoto County, the Landscape Architect proposed to move the project to this development, in a setting that would reinforce the theme of the Ranch and provide a rural location that would meet the needs of a retreat destination. Significance: As the mother of a son with severe autism, the client had never been able to find a vacation location that could provide relaxation for her family and provide the therapeutic needs of her son. Most vacation facilities are not designed to allow a family to take care of a 16 year old child who needs assistance to eat, change clothes, and go to the restroom. On the other hand, most facilities that are designed to accommodate these children don’t provide any type of recreation for the other members of the family. Ryan’s Ranch combines the needs of these families to provide a place where the family can stay together, relax, have fun, and create memories, without neglecting the needs of their special needs children. Recognizing the impact the project could have on special needs families, the Landscape Architects, architects, and engineers donated their time and effort to make this project possible.

5. Ryan’s Hope, the parent group of Ryan’s Ranch, was begun as a support group in September 2003 by the mother of a child who was born with multiple handicaps. It quickly grew into a life-changing community impact organization offering advocacy, support, and respite assistance for special kids and their caregivers. The group enabled special kids to attend camps and/or weekend retreats, provided therapeutic horseback riding, and built a universally accessible playground. As the services and partnerships provided by Ryan’s Hope increased, so did the need from the community. Currently less than 10% of families who live with children who have significant challenges receive the help and assistance needed to maintain a happy, healthy, and intact family. Families with special needs children have a 95% divorce rate, along with high sibling and parental abuse rate. These circumstances led to the beginning of a vision for Ryan’s Ranch. Ryan’s Ranch is conceived as an equestrian resort retreat for ALL families regardless of physical, mental, cognitive, or health challenges, to be able to receive the resources, respite, rest, and relaxation needed in order to keep their families together. Ryan’s Ranch seeks to raise awareness and see that no family is left behind in their community. The concept is intended to be replicated across the United States giving ALL families nationwide a chance to play together for the very first time.

6. Regional Location Map: Ryan’s Ranch is nestled in the quiet and rural area of western Desoto County, Mississippi, where the land’s character changes from rolling topography atop the bluff, to flat Delta farmland. Ryan’s Ranch may be located within this rural countryside, but activities and services are just a few miles away. Robinsonville and Tunica are located south of Ryan’s Ranch, and serve the region with restaurants, golf courses, entertainment, gaming activities, and shopping. Recreational access to the Mississippi River is just a few miles directly to the west, and Arkabutla Lake is a short drive to the south. Miles to the MS River Delta...............2 Miles to Hernando, MS......................14 Miles to Southaven, MS.....................16 Miles to Memphis, TN.......................20 Miles to Tunica, MS...........................23 Plan View - Greenway

7. The client originally desired for the Ranch to be located in her town, which was located in another city and state. The Landscape Architect found several properties, prepared conceptual plans, and met with the city officials to gain approval, but the adjacent residents eventually opposed the idea of a horse retreat in their neighborhood. Having worked as the planners for a horse trail community in Desoto County, the Landscape Architect proposed to move the project to this development, in a setting that would reinforce the theme of the Ranch and provide a rural location that would meet the needs of a retreat destination. Recognizing the incredible opportunity the Ranch would provide for families, the owners of the 700 acre Dunbar Hills Planned Community donated 64+ acres to Ryan’s Ranch International. The owners realized that the Ranch could also serve as an anchor and amenity for their development. Being included in the development allows Ryan’s Ranch to become an integral part of the overall community, along with sharing the use of 6.5 miles of horse trails and 70 acres of lakes. Ryan’s Ranch Site Dunbar Hills Development Bridge Elevation Detail

8. Ryan’s Ranch Site Existing Site: The existing property for the Ranch consists of open pasture, rolling hills, and wooded areas. The site is bordered by Star Landing Road on the north, and Baldwin Road on the east. An existing dirt road runs along a ridge that divides the north and south sides of the property. A 3.2 acre pond exists on the eastern portion of the site. From the ridge, the site drops approximately 40’ to Star Landing Road on the north, and 40’ to the adjacent residential lots on the south. Currently the site is used for hay and grazing livestock. Bridge Elevation Detail

9. Bridge Elevation Bridge Elevation Detail Master Plan: Elements within Ryan’s Ranch include a main lodge, equestrian center, riding ring, individual cabins, a chapel, pool, spray park, universally accessible playground, tree house, amphitheater, 2 fishing lakes, and miles of horseback riding trails for an inclusive, safe, and stress-free haven for families.

10. Location Map Bridge Elevation Floorplan Lodge: The Lodge is the main feature that will welcome visitors to the Ranch. The size and style of the architecture is important to create the setting of a world-class resort destination that will offer a get-away for the families. Features of the Lodge include Hotel Rooms, Dining Hall, Kitchen, “Parent’s Room”, Library/ Computer Area, Offices, Conference Rooms, Adult Changing Rooms, Treatment Rooms, Movie Theater, Sensory Isolation Rooms, Exercise Room, Massage Room, General Store, and Guest Lounge.

11. Location Map Bridge Elevation Floorplan Equestrian Center: The Equestrian Center echoes the architectural style and materials of the Lodge. Since the main form of treatment used at the Ranch will be focused on equine therapy, the Equestrian Center will serve as the main therapy location. Features include an indoor riding ring, horse stalls, physical therapy rooms, viewing gallery, and an outdoor riding ring.

12. Location Map Bridge Elevation Floorplan Cabins: While many families will stay in the Lodge, 24 fully accessible cabins will also be available. The cabins are tucked within the wooded areas of the site, and are designed to be centered around community open space areas.

13. Location Map Bridge Elevation Floorplan Chapel: The Chapel is located at the terminus of the entrance drive, and serves as the center of the campus. The Chapel is intended to be used by the families and will also be available for use by the community for meetings, services, and weddings.

14. Bridge Elevation Activity Areas: Recreation will be an integral part of the therapy at Ryan’s Ranch, for the children and also for their families. Three unique play experiences will be located throughout the Ryan’s Ranch site, where kids can let their imaginations run wild, and families can laugh and play together. Located adjacent to the Lodge, Play Area 1 will include a swimming pool, spray park, and an interactive playground. Play Area 2 includes a boardwalk and tree house that will take advantage of the natural topography and tree cover. Located amongst the cabins, Play Area 3 includes a 12,000 s.f. universally accessible playground.

15. Play Area 1: Located adjacent to the Lodge and the Equestrian Center, Play Area 1 includes an interactive playground, swimming pool, and spray park. The features are designed to be used by the families and any children with special needs. Bridge Elevation Interactive Playground: The interactive playground will provide kids of many ages and abilities exciting activities for play. To encourage physical movement, the playground offers climbing opportunities such as a boulder hill, a stage coach, and horse sculptures. The musical tack wall, music bench, and bongo barrels will appeal to those with an appreciation for music and rhythm. For children who want to express their artistic side, a chalk area is provided where kids can color on the ground or on an elevated chalkboard. Opportunities are also provided to interact with different textures such as the sand pit, water trough, and stream bed, which includes a functioning water pump. All the senses will be engaged in this unique environment which also contains childhood favorites such as slides, sidewalk games, and a playhouse.

16. Swimming Pool: An important part of the Ryan’s Ranch experience will be relaxation and rejuvenation for the entire family. The swimming pool will offer a chance for families to play together or to relax while kids are receiving treatment. With views overlooking the pond, the infinity edge overflows into a stream that seems to connect the pool with the pond. Other features of the kid-friendly pool include a beach entry, rock island, diving rocks, and landscaping. A shallow area offers a swimming area for smaller children and can also be utilized as part of the therapy programs. A large pool deck surrounds the pool with seating and an arbor to provide shaded areas for reading a book, enjoying lunch, or watching the kids play. A hot tub will also be located in the sunbathing deck area to complete the relaxation experience. Bridge Elevation Spray Park: For kids who would rather run around while they cool off, the interactive spray park will offer an exciting world of unpredictable sprayers, water cannons and other water features. An overhead spray structure, reminiscent of a ranch water trough, will pour, spray, and sprinkle water on top of the kids, while spray heads in the pavement will douse them from below. Misters hidden in the surrounding landscape and boulders will offer unexpected surprises. The area will be completely accessible, providing fun for kids of all ages and abilities, such as those without swimming skills or kids who use wheelchairs.

17. Play Area 2: The Tree House and Amphitheater activity areas are designed to allow kids to experience the natural environment of Ryan’s Ranch. Located on a sloped, wooded portion of the site, the amphitheater will provide grass seating terraces, large enough to accommodate wheelchairs, lawn chairs, or blankets, along with seat walls and a stage. From the main trail, an elevated boardwalk will lead to the tree house deck, 10’ to 12’ in the air. A play area below the tree houses will include play features that allow the children on the ground to interact with the children in the tree houses. An accessible ramp will lead from the play area to the upper deck so that children will be able to enjoy the entire tree house experience. Bridge Elevation Play Area 3: A 12,000 sf accessible playground is provided at Play Area 3, adjacent to the cabins in the community open space area.

18. Bridge Elevation Projected Costs: Based on the Master Plan, preliminary engineering drawings, conceptual architectural plans, and an economic feasibility study, a Project Cost summary was prepared to create a realistic development cost, and also to serve as a goal for the fundraising efforts.

19. Bridge Elevation Fundraising Booklet: The Landscape Architect worked with a graphic designer to create a booklet to be used for fundraising efforts. The booklet contains the story of Ryan’s Ranch, the Master Plan, Architectural Imaging, Project Costs, and contact information for Ryan’s Ranch International.

20. Status: Currently, Ryan’s Ranch is in the fundraising stage. The organization and design team knew that a project of this scope and cost would be a long journey. The Master Plan and Fundraising Booklet were released in 2008, and received attention nationally from individuals interested in supporting the organization. As the economy has changed, as many non-profits have experienced, the fundraising effort has slowed. Ryan’s Ranch is continuing to press towards their goal and looks forward to the day that families of special needs children have a special place to call their own. Bridge Elevation