Cedar Rapids plans inclusive playground

A playground planned for Noelridge Park will make playtime fun for all, regardless of physical or cognitive ability.

Variety The Children's Charity built its first accessible playground in 2014 in Des Moines. The non-profit then approached the city of Cedar Rapids, and plans for the Noelridge playground were approved in December.

Children with physical or cognitive disabilities have long been limited in their ability to play among their peers at typical playgrounds but a new accessible playground to be built at Noelridge Park aims to change that.

Variety - The Children's Charity, built its first accessible playground in Des Moines last year before approaching the city of Cedar Rapids. Plans for Noelridge were approved in December

'Every single thing that is a part of the playground is accessible for people of all ages, of all abilities,” said Keeley Smith, executive director of Eastern Iowa for Variety.

Features include a fully ramped structure, swings with harnesses, shade canopies, and a rubber safety surface at the base of the playground.

Smith said accessible playgrounds give children with mental and physical disabilities the opportunity to play with their peers. An inclusive play area also exposes children to others who may not be just like them.

'What this is doing is trying to create an environment where anybody and everybody can play together,” said Bill Patterson, Cunningham Recreation sales director for Iowa and Illinois. Cunningham Recreation is the company Variety partnered with to build the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids playgrounds.

Sven Leff, director of the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, said the opportunity to partner with Variety fills a need in the community at no cost to taxpayers.

Variety is raising the necessary $475,000 for the project. Thus far Variety has raised roughly $155,000 - including a pledge to match every $2 raised with $1 up to $150,000 - of the $475 required to complete the project.

Leff said as long as the money is raised in time, the project should be completed in 2015.

To learn more about the project or donate, visit varietyiowa.com.