Concord's First Barrier-Free Playground
Two years ago, a committee of parents and school staff decided to completely overhaul the playground. Their vision: "To create a playground that is a national model for accessibility, love of nature, physical fitness, and social interactions. Children of all abilities will be able to go to every area and participate and be successful." After extensive planning and input from the committee and BMS students, the elementary school broke ground in July 2008 on a $135,000 playground. In addition to being designed as a barrier-free playground for children of all physical abilities, the natural playground model has proven to be more welcoming to children with neurological disabilities as well. The playground, which is open to the public during non-school hours, is now taking shape. A gradual path winds up a hill, leading to a slide built into the hillside. A 1000-square-foot sand play area is ramped and adjacent to accessible sand tables. Boulders for seating and climbing are spread around the landscape. An inviting, accessible path winds around the perimeter of the school's ample back yard, connecting fitness equipment, shaded benches, and tree groves. A natural amphitheatre invites teachers to hold outdoor classes and performances. The committee has raised approximately $80,000 to date, primarily through school fundraisers, a donor-advised fund at the NH Charitable Foundation and a grant from the Oleanda Jameson Trust. For more information about the playground and making a donation, contact playground co-chair Dan Habib at dan.habib@unh.edu. |
Beaver Meadow Elementary School (BMS) is the largest elementary school in Concord, NH and one of the district's four accessible elementary schools. But its aging playground was one of the least accessible in the city.