Photo Credit: Courtesy of James City County Parks and Recreation
For some families, playgrounds have become inaccessible due to physical limitations. Yet, playgrounds are places where all children should be able to come together--to play, swing and imagine, and to learn life’s lessons of challenge, risk and cooperation.
My Place is James City County, Virginia’s newest playground, specially designed to welcome all individuals and families regardless of ability. It includes all the features of a traditional playground--swings, a merry-go-round and climbing equipment--but in a barrier-free environment.
My Place was a community project of the Leadership Historic Triangle Class of 2009. The leadership classes are held biennially, and are sponsored by the local chamber and tourism alliance to encourage, develop and support future community leaders. The class initiated the venture to research, fund and build an accessible playground at the existing James City/Williamsburg Community Center. The goal was a 6,000-square-foot playground with barrier-free equipment, fencing and sidewalks to be located at an existing county park site where visitor traffic was already established.