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Can't you just buy some accessible stuff?

Several companies make and sell play equipment with ramps, but their products don't always encourage full inclusion. These companies are primarily adding ramps to traditional play pieces rather than reconceptualizing the whole playground for accessibility.

Schappet says, "In my opinion, all the major play equipment producers can build Boundless playgrounds. They just don't know how to yet. They just don't know how to put it together. So there's not a problem with the stuff, it's the understanding. In most cases, I'm not even talking about having them make structural changes to their products. It is the combination of the existing components that they have already produced."

At Telecote Shores Park in San Diego, Cole Vasile's mother, Michelle, helps him get into a teeter-totter (right), so he and Bobby Collins can really rock.

Using a consultant or resource center like Boundless Playgrounds helps each community group figure out that combination. Some projects, like Jonathan's Dream, are site-built, with the planners designing and building their own equipment.

Barry worked with playground equipment companies but found "they had no idea what we were asking for. What it ended up being was, what play toys did we like the best, then Trina and I took it from there and we showed them how to make it accessible. So it wasn't that they came to us and were able to give it to us. They had no clue. They had never done anything like this before."

Tridico bought several pieces from a company that gave her a generous discount. With the help of the Grapevine Parks Department and a consulting architect, she put the pieces in a design that would be wheelchair accessible. She's encouraging the manufacturer to feature a story on Casey's Clubhouse in its magazine to show others it can be done.

How do you do it?

So how do you transform a playground from a dream to a reality? The project will take a core group of at least two dedicated leaders; cooperation of hundreds of people, organizations and businesses in the community; between $50,000 and $600,000 ($75,000-$125,000 is typical); and one or two years' time.

Barzach, Barry and Tridico all started with an idea inspired by their own kids. They then got other families, community groups and companies interested, and their projects ultimately became community showcases.

Barzach says, "Most successful projects are the ones where the families reach out and expand their circles to include more than just their closest friends." You might find teachers, physical therapists, local businesses, civic clubs or other individuals willing to be part of that circle.

This early group should begin thinking about playground design, location, getting cooperation from government entities and a fund-raising plan. The design should be based on what the community wants to accomplish, with particular attention to the input of children with disabilities and their families. You may also want to talk with people who have built accessible playgrounds in other areas or with experienced consultants.

The best location might be a donated land area, a school playground, a university campus or a city park. In some cases, accessible playgrounds are added to existing playground sites.

When you have a pretty good idea what kind of playground you want to build and where, you're ready to approach the relevant public entities such as the city or town government, the school district, or the city or state parks department.

Tridico worked with her town parks department from the beginning. "They just grabbed on to the idea, held our hands the whole way and made sure it happened," she said. "They were just unbelievably awesome. They helped us get discounts on things." The town also reaped valuable positive publicity from the project.

Barzach advises that groups call the parks department or school district and make it clear that they aren't demanding a facility or expecting the public entity to do all the work. She suggests saying, "We have a community of people who care about the children, all children, in particular children with special needs. And we would like to have a playground here in the community. We're not just asking you to do it. We are prepared to work to help it happen. We would appreciate a meeting and for you to participate in the planning of it with us."

One thing you'll need from the public entity is money. Barry and Bigham got a $50,000 grant from their small town, and the Grapevine Parks Department helped Tridico's team write a grant proposal that yielded $180,000 from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (they also raised $150,000 from other sources).

Your request for public funding will be much better received if you can back it up with your own fund-raising. Playgrounds are financed by everything from car washes and T-shirt sales, to special events such as auctions, to corporate gifts and foundation grants. A great deal of time and energy goes into writing letters, knocking on doors and using every contact you can find to ask for money.

Some park projects "sell" paver bricks or fence pickets, placing the donor's name on the item. When your design is fairly well solidified, you can ask companies or individuals to sponsor specific pieces -- a swingset, a ramp, a playhouse, a fence, an awning.

Broad volunteer help is essential. Some 240 companies donated materials or services worth at least $1,000 each to Jonathan's Dream. You'll need volunteer skilled and unskilled labor of all types. Casey Tridico's Brownie troop bought a sidewalk brick and adopted the clubhouse as their special project to keep planted and clean. When the playground is done, usually the parks department or school district will actually be responsible for it, including liability insurance.

Accessible playgrounds become far more than play equipment and hard work to the parents who create them. Peter Barzach said that the building of the playground helped him deal with his grief, making it easier for him to talk about Jonathan and his death.

At Casey's Clubhouse, the dedication plaque reads: "... Although Casey never lived to see it, if you listen carefully, you might hear the delightful laughter of a little angel whose dream has come true."

Patrick Barry, 9, puts the kids' point of view in perspective. When his mother talks about finding a cure for his DMD, he thinks she's missing the point. "He said, 'Mom, for the first time in my life, I'm happy. Why did you bother building that playground if you don't want me to play on it?,' " she says. "And he's gone. He's out there with his friends." 

Resources

ADA Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, responsible for developing accessibility guidelines for playgrounds:
1331 F St. NW, #1000
Washington, DC 20004-1111
(800) 872-2253 or (800) 993-2853
info@access-board.gov; www.access-board.gov.

Paula & Timothy Barry:
(508) 996-4361

Boundless Playgrounds:
877-BOUNDLESS (toll free)
www.boundlessplaygrounds.org.

CAMDEN Foundation:
(608) 876-6537

Louis & Debra Tridico:
(817) 329-4555