To most children playing outdoors on swings and slides is a commonplace activity. But for many children with disabilities playing outside is often just a dream. Making that dream happen for kids and adults with disabilities in the San Francisco Bay Area became the mission of Eddie Snow, chairperson of the Barrier Free Park Committee of the Oakland Rotary Club. Ten years of diligent, systematic fundraising and meetings with regional parks personnel, disability experts and playground contractors went into realizing the project. The barrier-free Roberts Regional Park in Oakland, CA opened to the public July 7, 2004.

From the beginning of the planning process, the idea of a barrier-free playground received enthusiastic approval from potential users including Celina, a young adult with cerebral palsy. As a child Celina could only sit and watch her brother have fun. If a barrier-free playground were available to her when she was growing up she would have had a chance to play alongside her siblings.

Broad Planning Committee

The Roberts Regional Park was a joint effort of members from groups including the Rotarians, the Lighthouse for the Blind, the Heather Farm Garden Center Association, Berkeley's Center for Independent Living (CIL), and accessible playground designer Steve Leibwohl.

The variety of individuals involved in the design was critical to the planning. The benefit of the diverse experience of the group became evident when one person proposed putting Braille on the playground fixtures. A representative from the Lighthouse for the Blind advised the group that Braille was not necessary on the play structures because blind children enjoy discovering through touch and play like all other kids.

Accessible Features

A popular feature of the park is a swing that is wide and supportive enough to be accessible to children who need lower limb support. Another swing accommodates those who swing lying down. The slides allow children to slide off their wheelchairs onto the slide and land safely in a sitting position on the ground. This is unlike most slides that end above the ground with the child falling into the sand after sliding.

Children of all ages and of all abilities can play at Roberts Regional Park. This is special considering the inaccessibility of parks for many people who have disabilities. Just as having this all-inclusive barrier-free park is an issue of equity for children with disabilities, so is it education for children who benefit from playing with kids with diverse abilities.

Before the barrier-free park existed, the Rotarians took a group of disabled children to camp at Roberts Park Field and swimming pool. The pool has a lift that lowers children into the pool. One afternoon some of the autistic and Down syndrome children were lowered into the pool. Three non-disabled children and their mother were already in the pool playing. As the disabled children entered the pool, the woman told her children to quickly leave the pool, saying, "Let's get out of here."   It is situations like this that demonstrate the need for public education.

The park has unified many families in recreation, whether it is the child or the parent who has the disability. Non-disabled young people whose parents are disabled also may be restricted from play in public parks and playgrounds because their parents are unable to supervise them. At Roberts Park the entire family can recreate together.

Seventeen-year-old Enrock Romero, for example, didn't want to get off the swing because it was the first time he had ever been on a swing in his life. His mother Ailene Romero happily pushed him. Some disabled adults who attended the park's inauguration commented they had never in their life enjoyed playing in a park. Jan Garrett, executive director of the Berkeley CIL said, "I've never played on a playground and I look forward to it today. Who says adults can't swing?"

Building Their Dream

The committee raised a total of $560,000 over 10 years. This enabled them to break ground in 2003. The actual construction of the park had to wait until all of the funds became available because the park is in use year-round. Builders had a short window between September and May to complete all the construction, when the park is less busy.

The 2000 US Census stated 6% of the total population below the age of 18 has a disability. Roberts barrier-free park was the fourth accessible facility built in the country. Thanks to The Rotary Club's initiative and direction, barrier-free parks also exist in Omaha, NE and Portland, OR. The idea of universal design in recreational parks is catching on. Currently in Los Angeles, CA there are two such parks in existence and the City has plans to build several more.

The East Bay Regional Park assumes responsibility for the upkeep of the park and facilities. A full-time superintendent resides on the premises to oversee the needs. A second phase of construction is planned to increase the size of the park.

Phase two is not a sure thing yet. It would include completing a large sand play area and a swing designed for children who use wheelchairs. Private donations and organizational grants are needed to fund the second phase of construction.

During my interview with Snow, he urged Proyecto Visión readers to, "consider getting involved in the fund-raising efforts to complete the park." He continued, "Any way people can help is appreciated."

Snow would like to see the second phase of the park complete within three years. To participate visit www.oakland-rotary.org/Committee%20Pages/committee_overview_04.htm.

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