Use Universal Design in the Jacobson Park Playground Renovation to Make it Inclusive and Accessible!

Lexington, KY has another opportunity to showcase its progressive, creative and welcoming attributes, while potentially boosting economic and tourism development.  Mayor Gray has continuously championed efforts of social justice by embracing diversity and creating a culture of inclusion.

The 21-year old playground at Jacobson Park has exceeded its lifespan. According to a playground assessment report presented to the Parks Advisory Board, it is weathered, worn, and in need of significant repair to meet current safety and ADA regulations. Proactively, the Lexington Fayette-Urban County government (LFUCG) has designated $300,000 for this project.

Although the playground at Jacobson Park has brought much joy to its visitors and has a rich history as a community build, it is not disability-friendly. Parks are naturally multi-generational. In addition to children, there are parents and grandparents with disabilities and age-related limitations that currently have difficulty accessing its’ playground area.

As a newly forming nonprofit, Build Inclusion seeks to create communities that take inclusion beyond the doors of our schools. A destination play area built to become one of the most impressive inclusive playgrounds will help drive that initiative and spread to other community projects and city infrastructure.

Why include all children in play?  

Inclusive play is defined as the creation of play environments that serve the physical, social, sensory, cognitive, and emotional needs of children of all abilities in a community.  All children love to play.  All children need to play.  “Remember running around the playground when you were a kid? Maybe hanging from the monkey bars or seeing who could swing the highest?  It wasn't just a mindless energy burn. Many have called play the work of childhood. Play teaches children how to make friends, make rules and navigate relationships.  But for kids whose disabilities keep them from using playgrounds, those opportunities can be lost.” –Read more of this story.

Accessibility has recently been pushed to the forefront due to the “changing demographics of seniors and people with disabilities … and a shift in Medicaid funding that has encouraged home and community-based care over institutions.” The latter, particularly, positively affects children and young adults, encouraging them to become active, participating and contributing members of their community. 

“Today, self-advocates and parents of children with disabilities realize the importance of inclusive play, building natural networks and having access to participate in all community activities. They expect more than the minimum standards of accessibility”, reports Annette Jett.  Annette specializes in community inclusion and is a parent of two children, one with a developmental disability.  “My children play well together and they want that opportunity when we go to community playgrounds.  We stopped using the playground at Jacobson because it was difficult for me to keep up with them due to mobility challenges of my daughter, not being able to see both kids at the same time and difficulty accessing the structure when my daughter needed assistance”. 

How do we build an inclusive playground that is still fun for all?

Inclusive does not mean dull. Progressive cities all over the world, such as Charlotte, Atlanta and Chicago are embracing the elements of Universal Design (UD) or ‘Visitability’ to make their communities more equitable and integrated. “Universal design considers the strength, grip, and size of the inhabitants. But it is not only the people with disabilities who benefit from universal design—the young and old also share the need of having structures within reach and easy to use.” 

Style is not compromised either when utilizing UD concepts. A look at the examples of inclusive playgrounds anduniversal design proves that creativity, aesthetics, functionality and visitability can and do live well together.

Why not just repair what is there? 

Repair to the existing structure at Jacobson is estimated to cost at least $175,000 for a 15-year lifespan, gaining only minimum ADA and safety standards. Re-building the playground will yield a better return on investment by providing a superior product, with a progressive design and a lifespan of approximately 30-years.

With a significant surplus in the city budget under Mayor Grays’ leadership in 2014, the allotted $300,000 seems to be a small investment with a potentially big pay-off. Utilizing that money to build a solid foundation which can be expanded upon through sponsorship and grants, makes economic and social sense for our city.

Located just off I-75, Jacobson Park offers a convenient destination for in and out-of-state travelers seeking unique and innovative experiences, thus giving Lexington a potential boost in economic and tourism development.

Why do we even need a petition?

Although the disability rights movement has made great strides in the last 40 years, there are still some in our community who are protesting the build of an inclusive playground. 

Jett doesn’t necessarily fault those who don’t understand that segregating by abilities is a violation of basic civil rights, but she does want to educate them. “Before my daughter was born with disabilities, I never really thought about how lack of community access and inclusion impacts a person with disabilities or their families. Many don’t think about that until it directly affects them. The truth is, though, disabilities don’t discriminate.”

Unfortunately some people do. “When you sit across the table from a parent who tells you they don’t really want your child in the same classroom as theirs, or that they don’t understand why access to ‘part’ of the playground isn’t enough, I am just reminded that there is still more work to be done. Whether it’s access to education, recreation, friendships or employment, we all deserve an equitable playing field. ” Annette advocates.

Annette Jett was appointed by the Governor to the Commonwealth Council for Developmental Disabilities this year. She is on the Board of the LFUCG Mayor’s Commission for Citizens with Disabilities, whose members are in support of this petition. As the Parent Liaison for Special Education in Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS), Annette works with many families of school-age children, where approximately 15% of FCPS students have IEP and504 plans to address disabilities. She also serves on the FCPS Special Education Advisory Council and Task Force. The second term President of the Julius Marks Elementary PTA, and co-founder of AIM! Advocacy and Inclusion on a Mission, a new Disability Education program recently piloted in FCPS elementary schools, Ms. Jett holds a Masters in Business Administration and in May will earn a Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities from the Human Development Institute (HDI) at UK.

Let the LFUCG know you want to see Inclusive Design in the renovation of the Jacobson Park Playground!  Please sign the petition today – don’t let this opportunity get away.  Also, please add your personal comment in support of this effort!

Learn more about the Commonwealth Council for Developmental Disabilities  and the LFCUG Mayor's Commission for Citizens with Disabilities