Kennesaw Hosting Opening Thursday For Inclusive Playground

KENNESAW, GA — The City of Kennesaw and Kennesaw Parks & Recreation invite area residents to attend the Grand Opening Celebration for the Inclusive Playground at Swift-Cantrell Park, located at 3140 Old 41 Hwy NW, at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

The current playground features nine slides, 11 swings and a main play structure that has 100 feet of ADA ramps and sensory boards. The additions will include four play structures to approximately 5,000 square feet that is currently unused. This will include a main play structure that has wheelchair accessible ramps that lead to a ropes tower, sensory stations, an eight person wheelchair sway fun and a slide. The ramp system will also lead to pod climbers, a tunnel system and climbing apparatuses. The main play structure has 40 feet of shade.

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.

According to inclusiveplaygrounds.net, an inclusive playground is "a universally designed, sensory-rich environment that enables children to develop physically, socially and emotionally. An engaging place that provides the just-right level of challenge and offers opportunities to succeed. A place that goes beyond minimum accessibility to create play experiences that meet a variety of needs and interests. At an inclusive playground, children of all abilities can interact with each other and do what all kids want to do: play."

"This playground is a perfect example of collaboration between the City of Kennesaw and its citizens," states Steve Roberts, Parks & Recreation Director with the City of Kennesaw. "Our community wanted more inclusion and our city administration listened and reacted. We are removing the barriers from this playground, making it completely accessible to every child. We are creating a space that invites all children to want to play and interact with each other. I am so thankful to be a part of this project and part of this city. I appreciate everyone who helped on the playground committee, the Swift-Cantrell Foundation and our city administration."