Handicap-Accessible Playground To Open Wednesday
BY ANtonie boessenkool Californian staff writer aboessenkool@bakersfield.com
On Wednesday afternoon, Bakersfield will open its first playground that is completely handicap accessible. The new playground in Central Park will replace old equipment that was in much need of an upgrade, said Dianne Hoover, director of the city's Recreation and Parks department.
The opening with Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall and Councilwoman Sue Benham will be at Central Park, 600 19th St., at 4 p.m.
All of the city's playgrounds are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but the difference with the new playground is that equipment is specifically designed for children with limited mobility, Recreation and Parks staff said.
For starters, the entire playground is covered with a rubberized safety surface, making it easier for children in wheelchairs to get around. There is a ramp wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass side by side leading up to a second level, where there's climbing equipment and slides. There also are swings with restraints for upper and lower body support and interactive features such as steering wheels specifically designed to be easy to manipulate.
"It's a fully inclusive playground," Hoover said.
Because it allows children in wheelchairs to move into the equipment rather than just up to it, "Even if they have limited mobility, they can still be among their friends and play on this playground," Hoover said.
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