gig harbor inclusive playground essay final

8/4/2019 Gig Harbor Inclusive Playground Essay Final

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City of Gig Harbor, Washington

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Disheartened, we watch many of our children sit on the periphery of the playground, while others are

joyfully playing together – swinging, running and sliding. We try to involve them as much as we can, but

are limited by the wood chip and gravel surfacing, toys that are inaccessible and our own inability to

physically lift them from their wheelchairs and walkers to safely play on the equipment. Others watch

our children struggle with sensory issues, speech challenges and social interaction, trying our best to

intervene and make the playground a positive experience. As they play, few of their peers acknowledge

our children and we painfully watch as others avoid – and even tease – our special needs children.

Our children are our inspiration. We are a group of mothers who have bonded together over the past

10 years -- working hard to make our community a better place for our special needs children and for

those to come in the future. In this case, we are members of the “Committee for an Inclusive

Playground in the City of Gig Harbor.” Each of us has a unique story – traumatic and often sad – and our

children have many different diagnoses including muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, autism,

developmental delays, chromosome abnormalities and epilepsy. Yet, each family also has a typically

developing child, as well, and that has inspired us to create an inclusive playground.

Our dream is two-fold. First, individuals with disabilities, however minor or severe, experience the

positive benefits of play – physical, cognitive and social growth – that will help them lead the happiest

and most successful lives possible. We speak not only of children, but also adults. A population unique

to our location is wounded veterans. We are located only 23 miles from Joint Base Lewis- McChord, the

largest military installation on the West Coast, where many soldiers return wounded from Iraq and

Afghanistan. Many of these soldiers have children – children whose parents are no longer able to join

them in play at a typical playground.

Secondly, those not directly linked to or familiar with those who have disabilities must realize the

importance and value of an inclusive playground. The playground itself will serve as real-life classroom

where the life-long benefits of play are discovered and explored, acceptance and understanding are

fostered and that all individuals must be given an opportunity to reach his/her greatest potential. This

education is a crucial element in the success of such a playground and lessons learned will transfer to all

aspects of life.

Our city, Gig Harbor, is a quiet, yet vibrant village with a rich maritime history, captivating scenery, an

abundance of recreational opportunities (for those who are physically able), captivating views of Mt.

Rainier and a decrepit playground that has fallen to near ruin because of the City’s budget crisis. And,

what is even left of the playground is not usable for those with disabilities. Our community prides itself

as being a “destination city,” with many people from the region visiting our quaint shops, museums and

waterfront restaurants. Bringing an inclusive playground to Gig Harbor would allow for all visitors and

residents, regardless of ability, to enjoy our charming city.

Gig Harbor is centrally located between Seattle and Olympia and is only minutes from Tacoma,

Washington’s third largest city. Only 7,500 people reside within the Gig Harbor city limits, however, the

greater-Gig Harbor area is home to over 175,000 people. Additionally, our mild climate allows year-

round enjoyment of an inclusive playground.




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The City of Gig Harbor has agreed to provide the location for an inclusive playground, which is the

current site of the failing playground in the City Park. Its Public Works Department will build, manage

and maintain the playground in perpetuity. The City of Gig Harbor has mobilized our “Committee for an

Inclusive Playground in the City of Gig Harbor” to lead efforts in volunteer recruitment, community

forums and support and fundraising to cover the costs associated with playground construction and

operation.

Others in the community who have committed to financial support of the inclusive playground include

Peninsula Metropolitan Park District, Pierce County Council, Gig Harbor City Council and private donors.

Donations and in-kind donations will also be procured from local charitable foundations and businesses

will also be secured through grant writing and fundraising. Other organizations we expect to help with

funding and volunteer hours include the Rotary Club, Kiwanis and Knights of Columbus, to name a few.

Other significant community supporters of this project are the Mayor of Gig Harbor, St. Anthony

Hospital and Harbor History Museum.

Being a historic fishing village, we intend to preserve our community’s fishing heritage by installing an

accessible fishing vessel play structure in the inclusive playground. In this playground, we also envision

special playground surfacing, pathways and ramps, bucket swings, accessible toys and activities -- all

installed on specialized surfacing.

Gig Harbor’s inclusive playground will positively impact our community and region, as generations to

come will enjoy the cognitive, physical and social benefits of play, improved health and fitness and

positive social interaction. It also will also be a place where individuals come to learn about the

importance and benefits of play for everyone, regardless of ability. The City of Gig Harbor has a

successful “Healthy Harbor” series of events and lectures offered to the community. This will be a

perfect venue by which the education programming inspired by Shane’s Inspiration may be offered to

the public right in the City Park.

We enthusiastically submit this essay, supporting letters, pictures and the link to our video and sincerely

hope you find Gig Harbor, Washington to be the most deserving of an inclusive playground, where those

who play here will learn that “differences” must not be viewed as “deficits.”

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the City of Gig Harbor, WA by the all-volunteer“Committee for

an Inclusive Playground in the City of Gig Harbor.”

You Tube Link:




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PHOTOGRAPHS:

Inappropriate surfacing…

Vacant space where unsafe/old equipment has been removed…




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Inaccessible toys…




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Friends who should be able to play together!




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gig harbor inclusive playground essay final

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