After doing some research, we learned that there are currently no inclusive playgrounds in the Gates, Chili, Churchville or Spencerport communities, which represent over 10,000 children aged birth through twelve years. According to the CDC, it is estimated that approximately 17% of these children are living with at least one disability. As a result, approximately 1,700 children in our community do not have a place to access play locally. Moreover, the remaining 8,300 children do not have the opportunity to play alongside peers with varying abilities and learn how to embrace diversity. We decided that we needed to come up with a solution! This is when the corporation Imagination Playground, Inc. was born!
The goal of this organization is to develop, not simply an accessible playground, but a fully inclusive play space that allows children of all abilities to play together. In other words, while this play space will serve children living with physical, cognitive, and social/emotional disabilities, our goal is to create a space where all children can play, learn, and explore together, breaking down previously constructed barriers.
Why is this important?
In June 2021, we had a mother come to visit our center with her beautiful little girl, who lives with cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. We gave them a tour of our facility, and then it was time to go out to our playground. We explained to the mother that our playground is not wheelchair accessible. The mother went on to say, “that is ok, most playgrounds around here aren’t, she can just sit on the side and watch”. That statement broke our hearts! No child should EVER have to sit out while all their friends are playing, and no parent should have to accept this as a reality for his/her child.
