ERIC ED495434: Playgrounds Where All Kids are Able to Play

2007·1.1 MB·English

by  ERIC

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Communities Mobilize for Children of All Abilities
Playgrounds Where All Kids Are Able to Play
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In 1931, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation established the first school in point for communities to mobilize resources to create fully integrated, universally
for integration and disability issues. accessible play environments for all children.
the United States to integrate regular and special education
students in the classroom. In honor of its 75th Anniversary in “Play is an absolute necessity for the Much of the inspiration for Boundless
development of children’s language, motor, Playgrounds (BP) came from its cofounder
2005, the Foundation is supporting a statewide effort in Michigan to
and social skills,” says Gail McClure, vice and executive director Amy Jaffe Barzach
help communities build fully integrated, universally accessible president for Youth and Education Programs. and her desire to honor the short life of her
“The idea behind the Able to Play Project is son, Jonathon, who died of spinal muscular
playgrounds and raise awareness about the benefits of children of
that these new play areas will be inclusive atrophy in 1995. Together with hundreds
all abilities playing together.
of all children—no one is left out.” of volunteers and donations, Barzach’s
community built a special, inclusive
Imagine a childhood in which monkey bars In response, the Kellogg Foundation’s Youth This is precisely the vision of the National playground in memory of Jonathon. After
are out of reach, seesaws are too and Education team is funding the Able to Center for Boundless Playgrounds,® the an article appeared in “Time” magazine,
dangerous, and slides don’t accommodate Play Project, a special effort to build nonprofit organization coordinating the the phone began ringing. The concept of
you. For too many children with special barrier-free playgrounds throughout Michigan. project. The Connecticut-based group was “boundless playgrounds” touched a nerve.
needs—especially children who are These are playgrounds that not only greatly established in 1997 by a team of parents
physically challenged—play can be expand play opportunities for children with and child development professionals that In 1998, Boundless Playgrounds grew,
restricted and frustrating. special needs but also serve as a rallying was dedicated to working with communities expanding with a grant from the Hasbro
Children’s Foundation to launch a national What makes a Boundless
awareness campaign and to fund technical Playground unique?
assistance to 24 communities. By mid-2003,
BP had helped more than 60 communities in Although traditional playgrounds may have
21 states develop their own playgrounds. been built with consideration of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
Now BP is launching a major statewide effort
Boundless Playgrounds play environments
in Michigan with a multimillion-dollar
reach even higher to ensure that children
Kellogg Foundation grant. Most of the award
with and without disabilities can play
will provide Able to Play challenge grants
together, according to Jean Schappet, BP’s
and technical, design, and support services to
cofounder and creative director.
13 communities.
“Boundless Playgrounds not only include the
“We’re pleased these Michigan communities
ADA focus on removing barriers to access,
will have completed their learning and
but also incorporate our organization’s
construction by 2005 when we celebrate
commitment to child development, rigor, and
the Foundation’s 75th Anniversary,” says
challenge for all children,” Schappet adds.
the Foundation’s McClure. “The Able to Play
“We believe in the importance of play as an
Project ties in very appropriately with the opportunity for learning.” The process of creating Boundless
original vision of Mr. Kellogg to help Playgrounds is also about
children and create positive community In terms of barriers, federal guidelines require educating and changing
change. This will continue that legacy.” that 50 percent of a playground’s elevated communities.
structure be accessible. On larger playgrounds,
Seven additional communities will receive 25 percent of the elevated play platforms “The more communities
smaller “seed” awards and design mentoring must be ramped. By comparison, BP requires work with the people and
services. Other Able to Play applicants will be that at least 70 percent of play activities serve children with disabilities,
offered opportunities to attend BP’s “basic children with physical disabilities, allowing and the more young
training” workshops that review special play for greater “integration” of all children. children of all abilities
behavior and design criteria. play together, the more
However, BP play spaces are not just about all kinds of barriers
An ancillary component of the project
wheelchair access. They are designed to
includes a design competition that is
address the needs of children with sensory
Boundless Playgrounds are
intended to have long-term impact on the
and developmental disabilities, too. They
designed to be fun, rigorous,
art and science of playgrounds. Education
are designed to be fun, rigorous, and
and challenging places for
and outreach programs along with an
challenging places for all children—not
allchildren—not just special
upgraded Web site will provide help.
just special needs kids.
needs kids.
Play Is Vital
to Children’s disappear,” says Leslyn Odom Clark, BP Able to Play project will bring to Michigan— strategic planning process that involves adult
director of programs. these play environments will serve as stakeholders and children with and without
Development
catalysts where people will see what a disabilities. Then, BP and Center designers
BP staff say that their playgrounds become playground can be and want to push their will work in collaboration with local
Children, regardless of ability or a focal point for both children’s play and own community to do something just like it.” landscape architects, architects, builders,
disability, learn to navigate their world community change. design professionals, and playground project
through play. Evidence from research Boundless Playgrounds is working with the committees to develop play environments
into brain development shows that “People drive hours to experience a Pittsburgh-based Center for Creative Play, a that meet the Able to Play criteria.
challenging environments like well- Boundless Playground,” says Schappet. nationally recognized leader in indoor
designed playgrounds will encourage “When they go back to their own spaces. The Center will work with Boundless Then there’s the matter of cost. There is no
social, emotional, physical and cognitive communities, their expectations have been Playgrounds to help two Michigan grantee average cost of construction. But with such
growth for children.1 completely changed. They begin to demand communities first develop and then features as added ramps, educational
that kind of play space. implement indoor projects. activities, and safe, navigable ground
One in ten children has some type of surfaces, the total cost can range from
disability that makes it hard or “It’s market-driven,” she adds. “Playground The Michigan sites will receive assistance $150,000 to $400,000 or more. Able to Play
impossible for them to play on a equipment manufacturers respond to from BP and the Center, including coaching challenge grants will give each grantee a
traditional playground. Boundless customers’ needs. We’ve already begun to on how to raise matching funds, plan, build, strong start, but each grantee must mobilize
Playgrounds projects are designed with see that up to 12 additional playgrounds are and involve the community even more in its community to raise other financial and
a difference. More than 70 percent of spawned from each Boundless Playground their play environment projects. First, each in-kind resources and, finally, drive the
the playground is universally accessible developed. That’s the beauty of what the community will assess its needs through a playground projects to completion.
to children with physical disabilities,
To encourage participation, workshops were
incorporating sensory-rich activities.
held throughout Michigan. Ultimately, grant
As a result, children with physical,
applications were received from every region
sensory, and developmental disabilities,
of the state. A national panel of judges
and children without disabilities, can
made up of doctors, educators, nonprofit
actively, safely, and enjoyably play
executives, and other professionals reviewed
together, each at their own highest
the applications.
level of ability.
“The judging was weighted in favor of
Often the play activities and equipment
applicants that demonstrated real community
included specifically for children with
collaboration,” says Dianne Noth, senior
special needs are especially enjoyed by
director of operations for Boundless
children without disabilities, who
Playgrounds, “as well as commitment to the
could play anywhere.
concept of children and people of all ages and
all abilities being able to play together.”
1 “Play is Essential for Brain Development,” Visit www.abletoplay.org and take a “virtual tour” of
published by the Children’s Institute for Learning
and Brain Development a groundbreaking Boundless Playground effort.
Able to Play includes
a component that promises
to have long-term impact
The Able to Play Project is funded by a
on the art and science
special grant that is part of the W.K. Kellogg
of playgrounds.
Foundation’s 75th Anniversary, which will be
formally celebrated in 2005. W.K. Kellogg
himself recognized the limited options and resources for children and families
with special needs. After an accident, Mr. Kellogg’s grandson, Kenneth, was
permanently disabled. “[Al]though I was amply able to pay the medical … bills, I found it
almost impossible to obtain adequate treatment for him … ,” he wrote. “This
caused me to wonder what difficulties were in the paths of needy parents
who seek help for their children when catastrophe strikes, and I resolved
to lend what aid I could to such children.”
Able to Play Project
• Statewide Michigan effort to build • Scholarships for playground design
fully integrated, universally accessible and development workshops offered
playgrounds and raise awareness of to all other applicants
the needs of children with disabilities
• Through education and outreach—
Educational Benefits of • Challenge grants ranging from including collaborating with universities
Boundless Play $75,000 to $225,000 and technical and conference presentations—
assistance will help 13 communities Boundless Playgrounds will seek to
open playgrounds by 2005 influence future design of children’s
After a Boundless Playground was built at the Baer School in Baltimore, Maryland, principal
play environments
Shari Huene-Johnson saw significant developmental growth in children with severe
• Smaller seed grants and design
disabilities. Before the playground was installed, these students averaged a developmental
mentoring for 7 other communities
growth of 1.7 months in each 6-month period. The rate more than doubled afterwards.
will support the development of
“That’s a phenomenal figure for us,” says Huene-Johnson, “and directly attributable to our
additional playgrounds
Boundless Playground, which we use as an outdoor classroom.”
U.P. Community Rallies Around Playground
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n Sandusky, Michigan, population just over 2,400, high “The students meet in my classroom every Tuesday
school students are leading a communitywide effort to help morning, and I am just there for feedback. It’s their
all children be able to play, using a powerful combination of meeting, and they throw their ideas out there. Beth
youthful determination and drive. In fact, their Able to Play Morningstar has really been a go-getter.”
effort began years before Able to Play was launched.
There are only about 1,400 students in the entire school
In November 2000, a group of high school students decided district. “What they lack in numbers they make up for in
to “gift” a revitalized playground to their community. The enthusiasm,” says Lesacki. “When our community recreation
K.I.D. Committee (Kids Illustrating Determination) was the director went to the first Able to Play grant writing meeting,
brainstorm of a high school senior, Mandy Nesbit, who she came back with the impression that a community build
rallied fellow students to begin raising money for new and idea was too labor intensive—that a company should be
safe playground equipment for the city. Nesbit enlisted the hired to build the play structure. But our students wanted
guidance of one of her teachers, George Lesacki, and the ownership. They said, ‘No way, we’re going to build it.’”
teens went to work raising money.
That’s exactly the community spirit that impressed
“When Mandy graduated, I took over as president,” says Boundless Playgrounds. “With us, the community builds the
Beth Morningstar, who had served as a volunteer in the playground with the guidance of professionals, and those
project, and just finished her junior year at Sandusky High professionals do what needs to be done for safety and
School. “We had been concentrating on fund-raising, but reliability,” says Debbie Midford, program manager at the
when we learned about the Able to Play matching grant, we National Center for Boundless Playgrounds. “But it definitely
were inspired to write the grant proposal.” takes a community effort.”
“This is just the latest
Lesacki is quick to point out that it was Morningstar who In Sandusky, it takes the kids. The community involvement
in a series of community efforts the
took the initiative to write the grant herself, then meet with lessons Nesbit learned in Sandusky have remained
other students for their input. “She took it as a personal students have gotten behind.” important to her, even as she finished her freshman year at
challenge and growth opportunity.” Northern Michigan University, nearly 400 miles from home.
“I love getting involved,” she says. “It gives me a kind of joy
Meanwhile, students continued fund-raising efforts, using Morningstar. “We’re a small community, and we are competing to make a difference.” After her first year in college, she’s
every tool from can and bottle drives to a discount golf cart for funds with things like a new hockey arena the changing to a dual major in criminal justice and
sale. Even the elementary schools have been involved community recently funded. But people here are very environmental science because, in part, it will provide
through “Penny Wars,” in which elementary classes compete supportive and pull together.” opportunities to work with communities.
by bringing in piles of pennies. By May 2003, the K.I.D.
Committee had garnered $20,000 toward the Able to Play effort. “The students have really taken this idea and run with it,” When Nesbit learned Sandusky had received the Able to Play
says Lesacki. “This is just the latest in a series of community grant, she skipped down the halls of her university
“The entire community is behind us, from our school board efforts the students have gotten behind. We don’t look at dormitory, shouting for joy.
to our local businesses. The Sanilac County Community the park project as that remarkable. It’s just the way young
Foundation even awarded us a matching grant,” says people are here.
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hen your remote community averages 100 to 150 inches of who retired as school superintendent in January. “What it For Heather MacDonald, a social worker who is the parent of
snow over a very long winter, providing indoor play means is that you have a community that’s working for a child with disabilities, the indoor play space will provide
opportunities for children is a critical need. In their Able itself, using all of its resources, to do things for its children play opportunities unavailable anywhere in the Upper
to Play proposal, the Sault Ste. Marie Able to Play Advisory of all abilities.” Peninsula. “The sensory play is very important to my
Council made this need dramatically clear by including twelve-year-old daughter—she loves it,” says MacDonald,
a photograph of a child One very creative feature of the Sault Ste. Marie play space is “and the fact that it will be available all year round in our
bundled in winter gear, in that it will actually be a kind of hybrid—an outdoor Boundless own community is very exciting.
a wheelchair, gazing at a Playground in an enclosed play space with a 25-foot ceiling.
mound of snow covering the “It’ll be kind of like a playground in a gym,” says O’Conner, “Plus, I work with a lot of families who are really struggling,
city’s outdoor playground. adding that such a play space will allow more independent and many of them can’t afford to have a lot of toys and
Point made. play than do interior play spaces focusing on serving the things that are stimulating and fun in the home. But the
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Even more dramatic was going to help them.”
the way the community O’Conner points out that approximately 16 percent of the
rallied around the effort to young people ages 5 to 20 in the community have some kind
become an Able to Play grantee. Just three years before, of disability. “We wanted a place where all kids could play
the community had thrown its support behind an outdoor together, those with and without disabilities. This will add
playground project, and the Council was a little concerned tremendously to what young children can do during our
there might be a “been there, done that” attitude about long, harsh winters.”
supporting an indoor play space.
McLain adds that the indoor Boundless Playground project
The concern was unwarranted. “There was still so much will serve a far larger area than relatively isolated Sault Ste.
energy and enthusiasm for doing something like this Marie. “We will literally serve most of the Upper Peninsula,
together,” says Kerry O’Conner, who chairs the Board of parts of Canada, and expect to draw visitors from the
Directors for the Chippewa Community Foundation. northern Lower Peninsula as well. Altogether, we expect to
draw visitors from a 350-square-mile area.”
Tony McLain, chair of the Sault Ste. Marie Able to Play
Advisory Council, completely agrees. “We invited a handful An additional draw for the Sault Ste. Marie Able to Play
of key people to help put together the Able to Play proposal, project is that it plans to combine the best of universally
but before long we had volunteers coming forward from accessible play spaces with regularly changing educational
everywhere in the community. This kind of project has really experiences, such as interactive exhibits about Upper
built community will and energy. Peninsula history and culture, separately funded by local
efforts. “We want to meet the needs of universal accessibility
“I’ve spent most of my career working in communities that to all children, while also providing educational opportunity
really don’t have the resources that many communities on a lot of different levels,” says O’Conner. “This will provide
have, and to see our community come together like this, an experience that kids will want to come back to over and
around a project like this, is really fulfilling,” says McLain, over during the year.”
Able to Play Grant Recipient Contact Information
Major Challenge Grant Recipients* Design Grant Recipients**
Youth Sport and Recreation Commission Saginaw Community Foundation West Ottawa Public Schools
Dad Butler Playfield, Detroit Kochville Township Woodside Elementary School, Holland
Carla Giles,Program Director Lucy Allen,President/CEO Jon Manier,Principal
313-963-8916 989-755-0545 616-786-1900
45 Wintonbury Avenue
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Bloomfield, CT 06002
Phone: [phone] Washtenaw Intermediate School District Watersmeet Township School People’s Community Services
Fax: [phone] High Point School, Ann Arbor Watersmeet Township School, Watersmeet Delray Memorial Park, Detroit
www.abletoplay.org Jan Culbertson,Honey Creek Community Gwen Pierce, Project Coordinator Thomas Cervenak,Executive Director
www.boundlessplaygrounds.org School Board President 906-358-4506 313-554-3111
734-663-1910 [email protected] [email protected]
[email protected]
Hillman Community Education Foundation Wing Lake Developmental Center
Junior League of Kalamazoo Hillman Township Tournament Park, Hillman Wing Lake Developmental Center, Bloomfield Hills
Upjohn Park, Kalamazoo
Tom Carlson,President Cindy Seguin,Instructional Assistant
Carol McGlinn,Past President 989-742-4255 248-341-7900
269-388-6009 [email protected] [email protected]
[email protected]
Sault Ste. Marie Play Advisory Committee Baraga County Community Foundation
City of Wyoming Sault Ste. Marie Keweenaw Bay Children’s Center, Keweenaw Bay
One Michigan Avenue East
Metropolitan Health Village, Wyoming
Battle Creek, MI 49017-4058 Dr. Tony McLain,Chairman Gordette Cote,Executive Director
Rebecca Rynbrandt,Director of 906-632-1829 906-353-7898
Phone: [phone] Parks and Recreation [email protected] [email protected]
TDD on site •Telex: 495-3028 616-261-3520
Fax: [phone] [email protected] Battle Creek Community Foundation Ingham County Parks
Bailey Park, Battle Creek Hawk Island County Park, Lansing
www.wkkf.org/YE
Lansing School District
David Lucas,Trustee Brian Collins,Assistant Parks Manager
Henry H. North Elementary School, Lansing
269-965-7000 517-676-2233
Rena Baxter,Committee Chair [email protected] [email protected]
989-224-1608
[email protected] Flint Community Schools Detroit Open School Parent Council
Summerfield/Longfellow Schools, Flint Detroit Open School, Detroit
Sanilac County Community Foundation
William DeFrance,Chief of Operations Chris Seguin, Ed.D., Council Member
Sandusky City Park, Sandusky
810-760-1256 313-273-6872
Beth Morningstar,Sandusky Park [email protected] [email protected]
Project Coordinator
310-648-2055 Life Services System Lenawee Community Foundation
[email protected] Life Services System, Holland Ellis Park, Blissfield
Deanna DePree,Executive Director Billie Patton,Chairperson
616-396-7566 517-486-5599
1400 S. Braddock Avenue [email protected] [email protected]
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
* $75,000–$225,000 each ** $25,000 each
Phone: [phone]
www.center4creativeplay.org These will be Center for Creative Play™ indoor play spaces. YO/ED 4206 • item #410A • 07032.5M.Gargoyle Graphics • Printed on Recycled Paper