Stall Brook Elementary Inclusive Playground Project Touch-a-Truck May 20th
By Jennifer Russo
It might seem fairly cut and dry when we think about it – all kids, regardless of their differing abilities, should have the resources they need to easily play. Unfortunately, though initial planning of play spaces did not set out to intentionally exclude them, many children are not able to join in on the fun because the space was not universally designed.
For example, the current playground at Stall Brook Elementary School does have a swing that is accessible to children who might be wheelchair bound or are unable to walk easily due to a physical disability, but to get into the playground, there is a raised surface. Teachers or aids would need to carry the wheelchair or child over the edge to access the space. This, among other considerations, prevents true inclusion.
Hallie Glassman, the lead Special Education classroom teacher at the school, recognized this need after a wheelchair bound student was not easily able to join their friends at recess.
“I knew I had to do what I could to help,” says Glassman. “So, I arranged a meeting with the school administration to see what could be done. Our playground was built so long ago that we can’t make simple changes to comply with new regulations – this means we needed to work on a plan to start from scratch.”
A venture like this obviously costs a good amount of money, between $250,000 and $300,000, but it allows for the design of a playground that is going to make a true difference and be completely inclusive. Slowly, but surely the money is being raised to accomplish the goal. The PTO was able to raise around $12K through a read-a-thon, various donors have given close to $42K, and State Representative Mike Soter was recently able to secure a grant of $25K toward the project. Last year’s successful Touch-a-Truck event had over 3,000 people attend and brought in about $16K.
If you are tracking that math, you have deduced that about $100,000 has been raised toward this project, so there is still quite a long way to go.
“I know I have been that annoying squeaky wheel of a person calling businesses and others about donating and sponsoring this goal,” says Glassman. “But we need this. We are working with the Doug Flutie Foundation for Autism and through it I have become aware of a lot of great companies which help provide resources for those with different abilities.”
An inclusive playground goes beyond just adding ramps. Hallie shared that in order to have a space meet the needs of all, there needs to be a firm, but pliable surface – currently the playground has woodchips, which create mounds and valleys that make it difficult for many people to walk on and certainly do not work for wheelchairs or those with any visual deficits, not to mention younger children or children with autism, who may put small objects into their mouths. There needs to be ground-level play opportunities and sensory elements - points for interaction and imaginative play that teachers can set up ideas around for games. Everything should be designed to encourage engagement and participation for all students.
As the new playground will be publicly accessible, considerations will also be made for parents who may have disabilities or older relatives who walk with canes and walkers, and there will be structures or trees in the space that offer appropriate shade.
As part of the last Touch-a-Truck event, there were survey boxes available to obtain the community’s input and ideas as well. Potential sketches of what the playground would look like were shows so people could comment on them.
Hallie hopes to extend the idea to other communities as well so that this need can be addressed in an even broader way.
“It is more difficult than people often realize for families who have children with disabilities,” she shares. It is tough for them to be included in birthday parties or other events that don’t have accessibility. It is tough to find a sitter for your children when they have special needs. Many of these families feel very alone. Let’s make strides to change that.”
When around 75% of the project cost is reached, a contractor will be secured, and official plans will start being made to design and build the structure. Our community can help by attending the next Touch-a-Truck event scheduled for May 20th and participating in other events that will be planned. Donations from community members or local businesses are encouraged to help meet the funding goal.
Learn more about the inclusive playground project by visiting www.ourplayability.com or the Facebook page at Facebook/OurPlayAbility
