Commissioners urge sensory features as Duke Park's ADA-accessible playground is funded

Troy's Human Relations Commission discussed the city's plan for a fully accessible playground at Duke Park during its May 15 meeting and urged park officials to consider sensory elements aimed at nonverbal and autistic users. Commissioners noted the parks department has budgeted funds for an ADA-accessible playground at Duke Park this summer and has applied for a grant to install turf to improve mobility for people who use mobility devices. A member of the commission recommended that officials go beyond wheelchair access and include sensory play elements such as a communication board, bells and interactive panels. One commissioner said the news item that inspired the conversation showed playgrounds that included “sensory toys and things” and described a communication board that plays recorded messages when touched. Parks staff confirmed the project is budgeted for the summer and said they would provide details on planned features. The parks representative cited a planned “friendship swing” and accessible interactive panels but said they would verify the full feature list with the parks superintendent. Commission members recommended staff relay specific suggestions — for example, communication boards for nonverbal users and panels that produce sound — to the parks superintendent and to consider additional locations beyond Duke Park so that residents who cannot travel to Duke can access inclusive play locally. No formal vote was taken; commissioners asked staff to supply the planned feature list and a timetable for installation.