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Resident urges inclusive playground at Tippin Park; staff says survey and funding in motion
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Summary
Resident Alexis Bridges asked the board for playground equipment that allows children who use wheelchairs to play without being lifted out of their chairs; staff said Tippin Park is on the Direction 25 project list and a public-input process is planned, with some LOST funding available but final scope dependent on equipment choice.
Alexis Bridges, a Pensacola resident and caregiver, told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Jan. 20 that the city lacks truly inclusive playground equipment that lets children who use wheelchairs participate independently. “There’s truly nothing for them to actually interact or play,” she said, describing ramps and flat surfaces that still do not enable full play.
Bridges said she has visited inclusive playgrounds in other states (she cited LaFleur Park in Jackson, Mississippi) and offered to help with fundraising and outreach. Board members and staff pointed to an existing survey on needed components and said Tippin Park appears on the department’s Direction 25 project list for an inclusive playground.
Staff cautioned that equipment, surfacing and site work are costly and noted funding is not automatically sufficient for all designs; the department said approximately $428,682 is allocated in Direction 25 project lists but that total costs will vary with chosen components and site work needs. Staff said they plan public input meetings in the spring and invited Bridges to help distribute the survey to neighborhood groups.
No procurement or construction decision was made; staff said final design choices, accessibility features and any needed partnerships or sponsorships will be explored during the public‑input and design phases.
