Ground has officially been broken. The first shovels have hit the dirt as construction begins on the new inclusive playground at Swift-Cantrell Park.
The City of Kennesaw and Kennesaw Parks and Recreation held a ground breaking ceremony to celebrate the official beginning of construction of the state-of-the-art park. Kennesaw Mayor Derek Easterling, Swift-Cantrell Park Foundation President Phil Barber, and other local dignitaries were in attendance to commemorate this special moment for the city.
“Our goal is to make play fun and inclusive for all children in our community,” remarked SCPF President, Phil Barber. “This playground accomplishes that and then some.”
The new inclusive play space will add 5,000 square feet of sensory-rich features that enable children to develop physically, socially and emotionally. The entire 18,500 square foot space will be made accessible to everyone by removing the wood chips and installing turf. Every child will be able to maneuver the entire space.
The area will be include a main play structure complete with wheelchair accessible ramps that lead to a ropes tower as well as sensory stations, an eight person wheelchair Sway Fun apparatus, and a slide. The ramp system will also lead to pod climbers, a tunnel system, and climbing features. Above the main play structure will be 40 feet of shade.
The Sensory Play Center will engage the senses and help kids of all abilities further their development as they play together. Built-in tactile elements encourage kids to explore various rough and smooth textures and shapes.
The We-Go-Round is fully wheelchair accessible and allows kids of all abilities to interact in a fun environment. It can be turned from the inside or outside, allowing everyone to participate in the fun, and will accommodate up to eight people.
The Loft will have 20 interactive activities addressing developmentally appropriate skills: Shapes Panel, Image Panel, Steps, Mailbox Talk Tube, Flower Gear Panel, Alphabet Panel, Bubble Window, Counting Panel, Belt Climber, Flower/Leaf Spinners, Clock, Colors Mat, Seats, Find-it Sign, Lower Level Clubhouse, Crawl Tunnel, Vegetable/Leaf Sliders, Belt Seat, Slide and a Faces Panel.
The new, inclusive playground at Swift-Cantrell Park will be one of the largest inclusive playground in Georgia. Construction of the new playground is scheduled to be completed by early 2020.
Click here to view renderings of the inclusive playground.
