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Parents and WCF urge council to advance all-abilities playground; council approves planning steps
Summary
After a presentation from WCF and parents of a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the Roosevelt City Council voted to advance planning for an accessible "all-abilities" playground and asked staff to work with the group on renderings, cost estimates and fundraising.
Representatives of WCF and parents Kathy Adamson and Abby Adamson told the Roosevelt City Council they want the city to move forward with an "all-abilities" playground that would include ramps, adaptive swings, smooth surfacing and quiet sensory areas to let children of differing abilities play together.
The council agreed to advance planning steps after the presentation. WCF offered to lead fundraising and the Adamsons described how their 8-year-old son Maddox, diagnosed at 4 with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cannot use standard playground equipment and would benefit from an inclusive site.
The presentation emphasized accessibility features such as wheelchair-accessible ramps and platforms, adaptive merry-go-rounds that sit flush with the ground, harnessed zip lines, wider slides to allow caregiver assistance and rubberized surfacing. Jeff Baker, speaking for WCF, said the group would help spearhead fundraising and asked the city to retain ownership of the facility while WCF covers fundraising and some installation support.
Councillors asked the presenters to provide design renderings, a list of preferred equipment, the area needed and cost estimates so staff could evaluate likely sites and budget impacts. Mayor asked staff to coordinate the effort with Aaron Brown and Dustin Glines and to bring options back to council for site selection. Council members noted the project also responds to a verbal obligation made to a local hospital to provide an accessible play area.
Council discussion touched on possible locations, including Centennial Elementary’s shared park area and Honolulu Park, and acknowledged there are existing soccer and football fields near Centennial that could constrain the footprint. A council member cited prior work on renderings and cost estimates, saying similar projects had been priced in the $300,000–$600,000 range for full playground installs.
A council member moved to proceed with planning; another seconded, and the council voted in favor. The motion advanced the project to the scoping and fundraising stage, with the council requesting renderings, cost estimates and a recommended site before any appropriation decision.
Next steps: the presenters and WCF will draft equipment preferences and a footprint, staff will cost the options and the council will consider a formal proposal and any needed budget or agreement at a future meeting.
