Clarksville Parks and Recreation works to bring an Inclusive Playground to Clarksville

Instead, his parents Misty and Keith Shaper Drive an hour to Hendersonville, Tenn., where the nearest inclusive playground, Mary’s Magical Place, is located so Oliver and his 7-year-old sister, Elliott, can play together and with other children.

“The deficiencies are many for our family….when we go to parks it has to be inclusive. Other playgrounds in Clarksville have ramps that you can’t get wheelchairs to because of the mulch,”said Keith Shaper, Oliver’s father. “We are excited and there is so much opportunity. This is really important. Clarksville needs this.”

An informational and vision workshop was held at Freedom Point on Thursday, Jan. 16, to educate and show the community what an inclusive playground is and how it could benefit all children, especially those with disabilities ranging from Autism to Cerebral Palsy. During the workshop, which was attended by a small group of parents, a teacher, grandparent and Parks and Recreation officials, the feedback, such as from the Shaper family, was essential.

Clarksville Parks and Recreation officials are hoping

to bring the proposed new inclusive playground to the Clarksville Athletic Complex at Exit 8. If everything worked perfectly, and funding was secured, the playground could be built in 18 months, said Jennifer Letourneau, director of Clarksville Parks and Recreation.

“There’s a huge need for this,” Letourneau said.  “We have so many in our community with disabilities. We want a playground where a wounded soldier could play with their children. This is going to be huge…. Everybody deserves a playground and it’s our mission to serve everyone.”

Jill Moore, marketing director of Landscape Structures, a company that designs inclusive playgrounds, spoke from firsthand experience of living with a disability. Moore mobilizes with a wheelchair due to having Spina Bifida. Moore works with children to design inclusive playgrounds where all children can have not only physical play but social interactions and education.

An inclusive playground focuses on physical, cognitive, social and sensory skills. It’s designed with everyone from the parents to children with all disabilities in mind and has access, safety, and comfort in integrated into the design.

“An inclusive playground is a park for everyone. A playground that speaks a universal language, because play is a universal language,” said Jill Moore.

The inclusive playground will be costly and a stakeholder’s meeting will be held Friday, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. at Freedom Point. Fundraisers will be planned in the future, and Clarksville Parks and Recreation welcomes any non-profit group who would like to sponsor or assist in fundraising to contact their office.

While in the design phase, anyone who would like to offer input, ideas, or state their child’s needs at an inclusive playground can email Parks and Recreation at parksrec@cityofclarksville.com.