People for Parks is delighted to collaborate with volunteer group Falls4All and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) to work toward creating a playground where children and adults, whether with or without disabilities, can challenge themselves to explore, interact and play on universally accessible playground facilities with independence and dignity. Click here for photos from the recent Touch a Truck fundraisers.

The universal access playground is planned for Wabun Picnic area, east of Minnehaha Falls. A universal playground is a playground that incorporates special features to make it accessible to people with disabilities, while also supporting the activities of people without disabilities.

The Park Board has committed $300,000 to the Wabun project and People for Parks/Falls4All have a goal of raising an additional $700,000 to make this a state-of-the art universal playground. Planned equipment includes ramped wheelchair access to the highest platforms, accessible pathways made from special rubberized surfacing; dual slides that allow a caregiver to slide with their child and harnessed swings that hold children securely. The Wabun playground will be the first playground of its kind in Minneapolis and provide a model for other communities to emulate.

Fundraising for the renovation of the Wabun playground is underway with design development of the new playground facilities expected in 2011 and site work in 2012. Public meetings will be scheduled for the playground renovation as part of the schematic design process.

Children with disabilities face many challenges affecting their future interpersonal relationships including poor integration into their peers' play. Playgrounds are traditional sites for youth interaction, but typical playground designs often require children with disabilities to sit on the sidelines due to deficiencies in surface material, type of access and difficulty level. For children with disabilities, play can often be characterized as passive, sedentary, and solitary.

In contrast, when provided with play equipment that emphasizes their skills, children with disabilities gain a sense of self-confidence and individuality. They feel competent on pieces of equipment that they are able to use, and furthermore, non-disabled children have the chance to see the abilities of their peers with disabilities, promoting social interaction.

See photos of the Touch a Truck event here.

Read a great article about the playground by Tesha Christiensen of the Longfellow Messenger here or download the article from the PDF below.

Article in Access Press about the playground.

_Government Participation
Minnesota State Legacy Funding $300,000
Hennepin County Youth Sports $200,000

Community Project Partners
Titanium Level ($80,000+)
Paul  Adleman Endowment Fund
Platinum Level  ($25,000- $79,000)
Craig H. Neilsen Foundation
The Falls 4 All Committee
Gold Level ($10,000-$24,999)
Carolyn Foundation
Silver Level ($5,000-$9,999)
Longfellow Community Council
Peggy and Jay Halvorson
Noreen and Steven Linney
Bronze Level  ($2,500- $4,999)
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
C.H. Robinson Worldwide 
Friend Level  ($1,000-$2,499)
Wild Rumpus Bookstore for Young Readers
The Minneapolis Foundation (matching grant) Donors  ($500-$999)
Assurant Woodbury
Judy and Jim Dick
Flagship Recreation (in kind)
Jon Blood

Improvements already completed at Wabun include four new picnic shelters, a new restroom building, a zero entry wading pool, reconstructed parking lots, a disc golf course, a volleyball court, and a new bike/pedestrian trail. These improvements have all been designed to meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act for accessibility.

To learn more, volunteer or donate to the Falls4All project contact:
Peggy Halvorson, Ph. 952-988-0085 halvop2000@yahoo.com or www.falls4all.com
Felicity Britton info@peopleforparks.net 612-925-4249