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Nearly every surface on Berwyn's newest playground is designed to enhance the accessibility for disabled children without taking away from the enjoyment of other children.
The ground itself has a rubberized coating rather than wood chips, so wheelchairs can go anywhere. There also are no steps to get onto the playground.
Even decorative boards entering the playground have bright colors and knobby protrusions to enhance this sensory experience for children.
On Saturday, the park itself was dedicated to Mothers on a Mission, the disabled children's advocacy group that consulted with the North Berwyn Park District to design the park.
It’s believed to be one of the only playgrounds in the area that goes beyond Americans with Disabilities Act compliance to be specialized for disabled children, said North Berwyn Park District Executive Director Joe Vallez.
The park itself was built largely with funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, who donated much of the funding needed to build the park through KaBOOM!, a charitable organization that matches corporate donors with municipalities.
“This isn't your typical KaBOOM! playground. Everybody was willing to go outside the normal box to make this happen,” said Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero. “Blue Cross Blue Shield even came up with some additional funds so we could make this accessible to children with special needs.”
Members of Mothers on a Mission described the playground building process as “overwhelming” and “special.” They believe that the new playground will become a destination for disabled children in the area.
“We're going above and beyond the call and providing the support needed to create this project and make it a reality for all children who love to play,” said Anita Johnson, a director for Mothers on a Mission.
Nearly every surface on Berwyn's newest playground is designed to enhance the accessibility for disabled children without taking away from the enjoyment of other children.
The ground itself has a rubberized coating rather than wood chips, so wheelchairs can go anywhere. There also are no steps to get onto the playground.
Even decorative boards entering the playground have bright colors and knobby protrusions to enhance this sensory experience for children.
On Saturday, the park itself was dedicated to Mothers on a Mission, the disabled children's advocacy group that consulted with the North Berwyn Park District to design the park.
It’s believed to be one of the only playgrounds in the area that goes beyond Americans with Disabilities Act compliance to be specialized for disabled children, said North Berwyn Park District Executive Director Joe Vallez.
The park itself was built largely with funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, who donated much of the funding needed to build the park through KaBOOM!, a charitable organization that matches corporate donors with municipalities.
“This isn't your typical KaBOOM! playground. Everybody was willing to go outside the normal box to make this happen,” said Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero. “Blue Cross Blue Shield even came up with some additional funds so we could make this accessible to children with special needs.”
Members of Mothers on a Mission described the playground building process as “overwhelming” and “special.” They believe that the new playground will become a destination for disabled children in the area.
“We're going above and beyond the call and providing the support needed to create this project and make it a reality for all children who love to play,” said Anita Johnson, a director for Mothers on a Mission.
