New inclusive playground serves special needs children

Photos and Story by Doug Spoon, Editor

The City of Menifee's efforts to be "all inclusive" and provide more services to special needs children was evident again Thursday, when the City opened its first inclusive playground.

Simply put, that means it's a playground customized for use by children of all abilities -- including special needs children. The playground, made possible through a grant, has a wheelchair accessible ramp, step-ups to enter slides, special supportive swings and other features. The playground is located in Lyle Marsh Park on Bradley Road, next to Chester Morrison Elementary School.

During a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by local officials, the playground was designated as a National Demonstration Site for the concept of inclusive playgrounds. The award was presented by Play Core, which has a mission of building communities through play, recreation and physical activity.

According to Myles Harvey, who represented Play Core and Great Western Recreation, the only other inclusive playgrounds in the area to receive the award are in Murrieta and West Covina. The award confirms that the playground serves all the principles of inclusive playground design.

"Inclusive playgrounds have been a huge trend in the industry," Harvey said. To become a National Demonstration Site, your facility has to be vetted by the folks at Play Core."

Harvey pointed to the slide transfer feature, which has a one-foot raised step leveled off with the top of the slide so parents or guardians can more easily help a wheelchair-bound child transfer from the chair to the slide.

"The main structure works up to a 5-foot deck with the ramps, so a wheelchair can easily get up there," Harvey said. "In addition, to add some more flair and height, we go up to an 8-foot deck. We always look not only to make it for kids who are in a wheelchair, but typically developed kids to enjoy, too.

"One of the principles of inclusive playground design is safety. So we put a shade canopy for added sun protection. And I saw kids hanging out under the deck here today. The deck is more raised than normal to allow space under there. It's important for some kids to get away from the sensory overload and have spaces where they can get away from all the craziness."

The structures sit on top of a rubber surface, which is the same height as the surrounding pavement. There is no curb for wheelchairs to negotiate to enter the playground area.

The event was attended by all five City Council members and many staff members. A special introduction was made of members of the City's Community Services Department who built the entire structure themselves, in addition to their normal maintenance duties.

Did the kit come with instructions?

"Pretty much," said Bryce Howell, parks maintenance supervisor, who is a certified playground inspector, along with Aaron Narcisse, a senior park maintenance worker. "It had blueprints with step by step of how to build it.

"I’ve done a lot of cool things in my life, but this is definitely one of the coolest things I’ve ever built."

Jonathan Nicks, community services director, said that all park maintenance employees who worked on the project are Menifee residents.

Several special needs children attended Thursday's event and were among the first to try out the new equipment. Even Thunder, the mascot of the Lake Elsinore Storm baseball team, was there to join in the celebration.