Photo Credit: Courtesy of Sherry Manschot
Centennial Beach, a historic aquatic facility in Naperville, Ill., has been a favorite destination for families for 85 years. With a sandy beach, zero-depth entry with water play features, a slide, deep-water and lap-swim areas, sand volleyball, and plenty of space for relaxing and picnicking, the facility offers something for everyone.
Or so they thought. Discovering that the facility wasn’t something that everyone could enjoy posed an unexpected dilemma for the Naperville Park District. Once staff members learned that one family was prevented from attending, they wondered how many others were unable to enjoy the beach for the same reason.
The Dilemma
In 2009, a parent of a child with special needs approached staff members. Although the child loved swimming, trips to Centennial Beach became challenging with the noise, stimulation, and stares from the crowd.