#letsbuildaplayground
OUR DREAM OF BUILDING A SPECIAL NEEDS PLAYGROUND!
The playground project is temporarily on hold due to COVID. We will contact all volunteers when we are able to begin.
Children of ALL abilities deserve to play!
Playgrounds are one of the first places that toddlers can really get out there and climb, slide, move their bodies, use there muscles and PLAY! However, all playgrounds are not created equal, and many children with special needs have nowhere to play.
My son Tony is one of those kids. When he was a little boy, there wasn't a single playground in Clark County that he could play in.
He had low muscle tone so he could not climb on the steep play structures, he had a vision impairment so he could not walk on the bumpy and uneven bark without falling, he had severe cognitive delays so he had no idea how many things functioned, etc.
It wasn't until earlier this year, at age 11, that Tony had the muscle tone, coordination and ability to play on the equipment independently at our local playground. You can see the joy in his face in the attached news clip.
Children should not have to wait until they are 11 years to be able to experience the amazing fun that playgrounds hold!
Playgrounds are one of the first places that toddlers can really get out there and climb, slide, move their bodies, use there muscles and PLAY! However, all playgrounds are not created equal, and many children with special needs have nowhere to play.
My son Tony is one of those kids. When he was a little boy, there wasn't a single playground in Clark County that he could play in.
He had low muscle tone so he could not climb on the steep play structures, he had a vision impairment so he could not walk on the bumpy and uneven bark without falling, he had severe cognitive delays so he had no idea how many things functioned, etc.
It wasn't until earlier this year, at age 11, that Tony had the muscle tone, coordination and ability to play on the equipment independently at our local playground. You can see the joy in his face in the attached news clip.
Children should not have to wait until they are 11 years to be able to experience the amazing fun that playgrounds hold!
CALLING ALL SUPERHEROES - Let's build a playground!
Southwest-Washington, Clark County does not have one single public special needs playground so let's build the 1st of it's kind, where kids with ALL abilities can play side-by-side!
Even with ADA guidelines, most current public playgrounds don't address a broader range of diagnoses and disabilities such as autism and sensory processing disorder or how to get around on ADA approved bark chips with a vision impairment or wheelchair.
This under-served population of amazing children don’t want to be excluded, they want to join in, have fun, and be a kid, just like any other child.
My name is Sandra Sermone, this is my superhero son Tony, and we want to build the first special needs public playground in Clark County.
Southwest-Washington, Clark County does not have one single public special needs playground so let's build the 1st of it's kind, where kids with ALL abilities can play side-by-side!
Even with ADA guidelines, most current public playgrounds don't address a broader range of diagnoses and disabilities such as autism and sensory processing disorder or how to get around on ADA approved bark chips with a vision impairment or wheelchair.
This under-served population of amazing children don’t want to be excluded, they want to join in, have fun, and be a kid, just like any other child.
My name is Sandra Sermone, this is my superhero son Tony, and we want to build the first special needs public playground in Clark County.
INCLUSION
This photo above is Tony on his all-time favorite Dumbo ride. Although he is non-verbal, has profound learning and developmental delays and autism, he likes to have fun JUST LIKE OTHER CHILDREN.
When Tony was a baby, the word “inclusion” was never on my radar. But as he got older it became apparent that although he wanted to play at places like our local community park, he could not. They were not built to include kids like Tony. So while his twin brother played, Tony could only watch.
There are hundreds of other kids just like him here in Clark County, and they ALL deserve a playground better designed to address some of their special needs where they can have fun, be a kid and play side by side with other children of all abilities.
This photo above is Tony on his all-time favorite Dumbo ride. Although he is non-verbal, has profound learning and developmental delays and autism, he likes to have fun JUST LIKE OTHER CHILDREN.
When Tony was a baby, the word “inclusion” was never on my radar. But as he got older it became apparent that although he wanted to play at places like our local community park, he could not. They were not built to include kids like Tony. So while his twin brother played, Tony could only watch.
There are hundreds of other kids just like him here in Clark County, and they ALL deserve a playground better designed to address some of their special needs where they can have fun, be a kid and play side by side with other children of all abilities.
LET'S MAKE A DIFFERENCE
This idea has been brewing in my head for years; "A special needs playground!" - I’m not talking about a normal playground, I'm talking about a "sensory rich" playground designed with a smooth surface for wheelchairs and children with vision impairments, that includes equipment better geared for children’s disabilities and unique needs. One that is NOT isolated, but rather one where ALL children have a better opportunity to be play side by side with their peers.
This idea has been brewing in my head for years; "A special needs playground!" - I’m not talking about a normal playground, I'm talking about a "sensory rich" playground designed with a smooth surface for wheelchairs and children with vision impairments, that includes equipment better geared for children’s disabilities and unique needs. One that is NOT isolated, but rather one where ALL children have a better opportunity to be play side by side with their peers.
A PLACE TO PLAY
One of these types of playgrounds must exist in our community, right? WRONG! If you can believe it, there is not one single special needs public playground in all of Southwest-Washington / Clark County! I repeat - not one special needs playground in all of Clark County! Not Vancouver, Salmon Creak, Fishers Landing, Hockinson, Battle Ground, Camas, etc.... Nothing!
One of these types of playgrounds must exist in our community, right? WRONG! If you can believe it, there is not one single special needs public playground in all of Southwest-Washington / Clark County! I repeat - not one special needs playground in all of Clark County! Not Vancouver, Salmon Creak, Fishers Landing, Hockinson, Battle Ground, Camas, etc.... Nothing!
WE WANT TO CHANGE THAT, DO YOU WANT TO HELP?
Recently, the opportunity arose for my family to acquire a small commercial grade special needs playground. This playground structure was sitting behind a building on a property that created a very special place called Alexi's garden at the ARC. The ARC sold their building and the playground equipment was going to go to waste, so we purchased it and are donating the entire playground, rounding up volunteers and fundraising and we are going to do all the work to get it installed, all by volunteers because sadly, Clark County does not have the funding to help us. Clark County Parks Department however have kindly agreed to let us build our special playground at the Hockinson Meadows Community Park directly next to the existing playground. It will be called the Tony Sermone Special Needs Playground and we will building a garden for Alexi to which the playground sat in before. But we can't do it without help because there is so much more to do! DO YOU WANT TO HELP?
Recently, the opportunity arose for my family to acquire a small commercial grade special needs playground. This playground structure was sitting behind a building on a property that created a very special place called Alexi's garden at the ARC. The ARC sold their building and the playground equipment was going to go to waste, so we purchased it and are donating the entire playground, rounding up volunteers and fundraising and we are going to do all the work to get it installed, all by volunteers because sadly, Clark County does not have the funding to help us. Clark County Parks Department however have kindly agreed to let us build our special playground at the Hockinson Meadows Community Park directly next to the existing playground. It will be called the Tony Sermone Special Needs Playground and we will building a garden for Alexi to which the playground sat in before. But we can't do it without help because there is so much more to do! DO YOU WANT TO HELP?
MAKING IT HAPPEN
We have the equipment and with the help of our community we hope to raise the additional money needed for the smooth rubber surface and additional items and services needed to build the first special needs public playground in Southwest Washington/Clark County.
The playground equipment we have is filled with color, sounds and textures and includes 2 large play structures, one at ground level and one that sits low with a long access ramp. There are slides, an adaptive swing, sensory music and play panels and an intercom center where children on the ground can talk to children on the play structure and around the park and much more. There will even be a wheel chair accessible picnic tables for children so they can sit and eat with their peers. It is going to be AMAZING!
LET'S BUILD A PLAYGROUND
The structure will be moved to the Hockinson Meadows Community Park, which is one of the many beautiful public parks in Southwest Washington / Clark County. The playground will be installed directly next to the current playground structure, shaded by trees and surrounded by grass and a paved entrance. The two areas will be connected by a ramp for wheelchairs so there is true access to both sides.
We have the equipment and with the help of our community we hope to raise the additional money needed for the smooth rubber surface and additional items and services needed to build the first special needs public playground in Southwest Washington/Clark County.
The playground equipment we have is filled with color, sounds and textures and includes 2 large play structures, one at ground level and one that sits low with a long access ramp. There are slides, an adaptive swing, sensory music and play panels and an intercom center where children on the ground can talk to children on the play structure and around the park and much more. There will even be a wheel chair accessible picnic tables for children so they can sit and eat with their peers. It is going to be AMAZING!
LET'S BUILD A PLAYGROUND
The structure will be moved to the Hockinson Meadows Community Park, which is one of the many beautiful public parks in Southwest Washington / Clark County. The playground will be installed directly next to the current playground structure, shaded by trees and surrounded by grass and a paved entrance. The two areas will be connected by a ramp for wheelchairs so there is true access to both sides.
CAN YOU HELP US
We will need a lot of community help moving forward to make this dream a reality! We need fundraisers, corporate sponsors, endorsements, donors and volunteers - we need you to put on a cape and join our SUPERHERO League to help us build a playground! #letsbuildaplayground
This will be a community build. There will be construction, concrete, excavation, landscaping, drainage and a lot of community volunteer projects. The playground equipment that we are installing is valued at approximately $75,000 but we are going to need to fund raise to cover the approximately $70,000 cost for the smooth rubber surface, subsurface and additional poles and items needed to update, move and complete the playground. We will be offering sponsorship with recognition signage to businesses and individuals and also fundraising pavers.
If you or your business is interested in helping us bring our dream inclusion playground to Clark County, please contact me at [email protected].
We will need a lot of community help moving forward to make this dream a reality! We need fundraisers, corporate sponsors, endorsements, donors and volunteers - we need you to put on a cape and join our SUPERHERO League to help us build a playground! #letsbuildaplayground
This will be a community build. There will be construction, concrete, excavation, landscaping, drainage and a lot of community volunteer projects. The playground equipment that we are installing is valued at approximately $75,000 but we are going to need to fund raise to cover the approximately $70,000 cost for the smooth rubber surface, subsurface and additional poles and items needed to update, move and complete the playground. We will be offering sponsorship with recognition signage to businesses and individuals and also fundraising pavers.
If you or your business is interested in helping us bring our dream inclusion playground to Clark County, please contact me at [email protected].
GRO Living Outdoor in Vancouver has been busy working over the last few months at developing the plans and blueprints and many volunteers have already helped with small project jobs.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Clark County and the community and we hope that you sign up and get involved!
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Clark County and the community and we hope that you sign up and get involved!
If you would like to learn about Tony, he is 11 years old and has an ultra rare genetic brain disorder called ADNP Syndrome that affects his entire body. He’s was the first child diagnosed after the discovery of the Syndrome in 2014. He’s been featured on CBS national news, People.com, and many other news stories. You can find them all and learn more at https://www.adnpkids.com/about-adnpkids.html