Playscape Planned for All Abilities

The Concord Children's Center's facility on Meriam Road is expanding classrooms and dreaming of the day when children of all physical abilities will enjoy nature in an  outdoor playground.

Executive Director Pat Nelson said the natural space is only on paper at this point, but a group of intrepid parents cleared a swath of invasive plant growth last weekend so that the design could be implemented.

Nelson said the town recently granted the children's center a 10-year lease, which provides the center the opportunity to do capital improvements.

She said this fall the center will add an infant-toddler classroom so that children from infancy through grade two after school will be accommodated.

"Our vision is to create a new kind of playground that is filled with natural spaces," said Nelson. She wants kids to climb a tree or slide down a natural slope and build with sand and water, in addition to the monkey bars and hard structures that exist now.

Melissa Gorgenyi is coordinating the new playscape, arranging meetings with parents and providing communications about the project.

Nelson said there is no budget yet, but fundraising will begin soon. So far she has gathered teachers, occupational therapists, landscape architects and special education specialists to tailor the plan to disabled children along with the non-disabled.

"Children don't get to experience just being outside in nature anymore," said Nelson. "There will be a path around and into the woods, a small hill, climbing rocks, a slide incorporated into the hill, logs to climb over and on, and water next to the sandbox.

Nelson said the skills used to climb a tree are different than climbing on bars, for example. The child is using and developing new skills by figuring out how to climb.

"Playing in nature encourages cognitive growth as children use loose materials and natural elements along with all five senses to interact with the world around them, Gorgenyi wrote.

"We are visioning at this stage," said Nelson. The center got a $6,000 grant for a year from the Northwest Suburban Community Health Alliance to hold meetings with various childhood experts. The Garden Club of Concord donated $400 toward the purchase of plants for the project.

Gorgenyi said local artists, woodworkers and sculptors will be invited to add elements of sound, touch and visual interest to the playground.