The City of Lakewood recently tilled the first pile of dirt on the way to its first universal playground, which will have features that make it accessible to visitors of all ages and abilities.
City officials, Jefferson County Open Space and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) staff, and student campers were on hand Aug. 10 at Carmody Park for the groundbreaking --; along with root beer floats.
"This is a special day for all of us," said Kit Newland, director of Lakewood's community resources department. "This is the start of the first phase of the Carmody Park master plan."
Carmody Park, located at 2200 S. Kipling Street, southeast of the Green Mountain area, features include musical instruments, a sand box, climbing challenges for all abilities, swinging and spinning equipment, sensory play and beams, tunnels and steppers for balancing.
The project includes a year-round restroom facility, multi-use court, picnic shelters and an expansion of the current parking lot. The project will be completed around December.
"We rely on the cities we partner with to do these kinds of facilities, since our parks are more nature-centered," said Tom Hoby, director of Jeffco Open Space. "Between ourselves and the cities, we provide the full spectrum of activities."
As part of the groundbreaking, Jeffco Open Space presented a check for $700,000 and GOCO presented one for $350,000.
"This has been a long time coming," said Mayor Adam Paul. "It is the partnerships we have that make this community so special."
According to information provided by the National Center on Accessibility, playgrounds that cater to all are extremely important to childhood development.
"When we design for these purposes and apply the Principles of Universal Design, we design for inclusive play where every child, regardless of ability or disability, is welcomed and benefits physically, developmentally, emotionally and socially from the environment," the information states.
The city and its partners are well aware of this importance.
"We know this is all about the young people out there today," said Jim Spaanstra, GOCO's executive director. "We hope to inspire them into activity, and into getting out in the parks."
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Playground-to-welcome-all,234096
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