An all-inclusive playground is now open for children of all abilities and ages at Kensington Metropark in Milford.
The $450,000 project, located at the park’s Maple Beach, provides a space for able-bodied and disabled children to play together and incorporates universal accessibility design principles that far exceed the national ADA requirements. It’s one of only a few such playgrounds in southeast Michigan, and is the first for the Huron-Clinton Metroparks system, which includes 13 parks located across the region.
Some of the key features of the Maple Beach playground and park space include:
- Solid, rubber safety surfacing
- Wheelchair accessible ramps into the playscape
- Sensory-friendly equipment
- Shade structures
- Transfer-stations onto the playscape
- Spaces for quiet independent play
- Dignity landings on slides
- A unique We Go Round where both visitors who use, and who don’t use, wheelchairs can play
- Improved pathways to the beach
- New restrooms
“Metroparks remains focused on collaborating with community partners in thoughtful ways intended to ensure visitors to the Metroparks can wholly enjoy recreational activities regardless of ability,” said Metroparks Director Amy McMillan. “What we’ve done at Maple Beach playground is one of many actionable steps the Metroparks is focused on in our efforts to remove barriers and enhance accessibility at our parks.”
Playground design elements were based on the perspective of multiple organizations and individuals including the Fun, Accessible, Inclusive Recreation (FAIR) Play Coalition, which is comprised of organizations and individuals that have expertise in working with those with disabilities or who have disabilities, served as an advisory group for this project.
Casey Somerville, FAIR Play Coalition member and mother of children with disabilities, said the Huron-Clinton Metroparks went above and beyond in their vision and execution of Maple Beach’s renovation.
“By assuring the renovations and new playground would meet the needs of most every visitor they included valuable voices and insight from the disability community,” she said. “The recognition and thoughtful consideration was not lost on me as a disability mom and I truly believe they understand that, inclusion gives to everyone and takes from no one.”
Funding for the project came from the Metroparks budget, but supplemental funding was also provided by partners including Margaret Dunning Foundation and a Giving Tuesday campaign for the project in 2019 where Genisys Credit Union matched funds raised.
