Excitement ran high on Friday, June 13th as Cupertino celebrated the opening of its first all-inclusive playground at Jollyman Park. Children clustered around the playground’s gates, eagerly waiting to enter. The new playground is entirely unique and custom-designed, incorporating extensive community feedback.
What Does it Mean to be All-Inclusive?
According to the playground’s design firm, MIG, the playground offers “something for everyone,” regardless of age, race, gender, ability, or background. For example, there are four different types of swings, a chalk art wall for drawing, and vine-covered nature retreats for anyone needing a break from the action. The project draws from Cupertino’s art in-lieu fees to fund a kaleidoscope feature. This provides a play opportunity that is less physical and more imaginative. The renovation also adds new accessible restrooms, which is a major improvement as the existing restrooms are much further away from the playgrounds.
History of All-Inclusive Playground at Jollyman
The playground’s completion caps off a multi-year effort stemming back to the 2018 Council, which included Mayor Liang Chao and her continued efforts to ensure a fiscally-responsible and successful project. The initiative began with an all-inclusive playground feasibility study to identify the playground’s location. Jollyman was considered to have the most optimal combination of factors for an inclusive playground, including existing shade trees, proximity to a parking lot, and a relatively quiet location. Memorial Park was a close runner-up. However, it was eventually ruled out because it is home to many large events, which would make parking a challenge, as well as create noise issues for visitors that are sensitive to louder noise.
Cupertino received a $1.4M grant from the Santa Clara County All-Inclusive Playground Grant (AIPG) program, $1M from state grants, and $25,000 from PG&E to help fund the playground. In order to receive the AIPG grant, the playground must be ADA accessible, and meet the needs of those with autism, sensory, visual, or auditory challenges, and cognitive, developmental, or physical disabilities.
Over 200 community members attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Cupertino staff, City Council, City Commissions, District Director Victoria Low from Patrick Ahrens’ office, and local residents. At Mayor Chao’s invitation, the community also enjoyed live music from the Dream Achievers Band from Friends of Children with Special Needs.
Learn more at Cupertino.gov.
Leave a Reply