PLAY
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2022 Grants Challenge

Inclusive Playground project

Our goal is to redevelop Morrison Park in Agoura Hills, Ca in order to build an inclusive playground where children of ALL abilities can play together. Children with disabilities are often excluded from typical activities. Inclusion is vital for our disabled youth to build self confidence, strength, communication skills, acceptance, growth and development. This playground is designed to be accessible for ALL children and adults.

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What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?

Green Space, Park Access, and Trees

In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?

San Fernando Valley

In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?

Applying a proven model or solution to a new issue or sector (e.g., using a job recruiting software or strategy to match clients to supportive housing sites, applying demonstrated strategies from advocating for college affordability to advocating for housing affordability and homelessness, etc.)

What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?

Playground inclusivity is an important issue that rarely gets addressed. The majority of playgrounds are not suitable for children with disabilities. The Morrison Park playground in Agoura Hills, Ca has wood chips flooring which is not accessible to children with mobility challenges, i.e. wheelchair or walker. The wood chip flooring will be replaced by a rubber flooring surface, which will make this playground accessible to all. The existing 30 year old play equipment will be replaced by equipment that will allow ALL children the ability to play. There will be handicap accessible ramps at the main play structure along with other educational, sensory based and musical elements at the playground. This well rounded inclusive play space will welcome all families in the community, regardless of ability. The grant monies would help make this dream a reality.

Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.

Children with disabilities are an underserved population in our community. There are very few places special needs families feel comfortable going to. We need to provide more safe spaces for disabled members of our community. The grant monies will help fund an inclusive judgement free playground. This special playground will allow ALL children the accessibility needed to explore and play within a safe environment. The new Morrison Park Playground has been designed so ALL children will have the ability to play together. The inclusive playground design has been not only tailored to typical children but also children with cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome, hearing and visual impaired, mobility challenged etc. This play space is also multigenerational. Parents, grandparents, caregivers, wounded veterans and disabled adults will also be able to safely roam the playground with their family members.

Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.

Inclusive playgrounds are few and far between. I believe these playgrounds are essential in all communities. Safe and accessible play is important for the growth and development of all children. This inclusive playground will transform our community and allow children of ALL abilities to play together. Our world needs a lot more inclusion and acceptance. Other cities and communities will want to develop more inclusive playgrounds once they see community bonding taking place. Inclusion and diversity can be taught at an early age at a judgement free zone like an inclusive play space. Let's teach our young generation humanitarian principals so we can raise them to be outstanding adults. Kind children become kind adults.

What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?

We need funding for this project. Every dollar we collect gets us one step closer to the ultimate goal- to build an inclusive playground. Fundraising success means we are getting closer to our fundraising goal of $500,000. Project success is defined by installing inclusive play equipment and opening this play space to all members of the community. It can be uncomfortable being disabled living in a world that's not accessible. This new playground will provide a safe space for all in the community including our special needs population.

Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?

Direct Impact: 50,000

Indirect Impact: 250,000