Work begins on first all-inclusive playground in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - Work has begun on a massive new all-inclusive playground - the first of its kind in Cedar Rapids - at Noelridge Park where those with physical disabilities can play alongside able-bodied children.

Variety - the Children's Charity, which is a national organization with an office in Hiawatha, raised $475,000 for the Star Playground and coordinated with the city of Cedar Rapids to use land near the lagoon in the park. The play structure should be ready for use in early July.

'No matter what child or adult comes here they will be able to use it,” JJ Trotta, Eastern Iowa director for Variety, said during a ceremony Monday marking the beginning of construction.

Unique aspects of the playground include poured rubber so wheelchairs or other mobility challenges can access the area - both users and caregivers - harness and saucer swings to allow more people the swinging sensation, and sensory features, Trotta said.

As of the 2010 Census more than 5 percent of school age children have a disability, according to Variety, and all-inclusive playgrounds have started popping up in more places to address the quality of life need, he said. Iowa has just seven all-inclusive playgrounds, according to AccessiblePlayground.net, and design is underway for another at Inis Grove Park in Ames.

Carol Cross, of Cedar Rapids, attended the ceremony with her daughter Laura, 17, who moves around via a powered wheelchair due to Krabbe's disease, which limits strength in her upper and lower body. Cross said they have used all-inclusive playgrounds in St. Louis, and it transforms the experience for both parents or guardians, as well as those with disabilities trying to use a play structure.

'Usually, when you are at a playground, they end up in tears while their peers are able to play,” Cross said. 'It's a huge thing for them to be out there and have independence.”

Parents or caregivers also face frustration of helping someone with disabilities try to access play equipment that is not designed for all abilities.

Hall-Perrine Foundation donated $100,000 for the project, while Transamerica Foundation, the city of Cedar Rapids, Wellmark Foundation and local companies, including Diamond V, ITC, Cargill and CRST International, gave more than $25,000 each. The Kennedy High School senior class of 2016 also donated at least $5,000.

'They wanted to build one of these themselves, and realized how hard it would be,” Kennedy Principal Jason Kline said, noting the class held at least a dozen fundraisers to support the class' chosen service project that year.

The new playground is to be 9,600 square feet, which is roughly four times larger than the existing playground, said Sven Leff, the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation director.

'For us, this is a flagship park and ... there's no better place for a flagship playground,” Leff said.

City staff worked with Variety on where to locate the playground, and selected Noelridge - near the intersection of Collins Road and Council Street NE - because of the proximity to Interstate 380, the space and popularity of the park, Leff said. A new Noelridge restroom facility is to be added next year, Leff said.

The existing play structure is to be disassembled with the idea that all kids will use the new play structure, he said. The older play structure will be moved to the Tuma Soccer Complex in Marion, he said.

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