FUN For All Playground
Questions by Hannah Holbrook | Photos + Answers Courtesy of David Gerling, Fun For All Playground Co-Chair
Q: When (and why) did people first start talking about creating the Fun For All Playground?
The Fun for All Playground grew out of a desire from three local service clubs to provide an All-Access playground in Brazos County. All clubs, the Rotary Club of College Station, the College Station Noon Lions Club, and the Kiwanis Club, were working independently during 2012. Early in 2013, they joined forces to create a project that would serve the entire Brazos Valley area. Both clubs along with the City of College Station, entered into an agreement for this project which would encourage further preliminary planning. During the fall semester of 2013, Texas A&M University Landscape Architecture undergraduate studio students enrolled in the LAND 320 course, led by Dr. Eric Bardenhagen, and Dr. Kenneth Hurst, MLA / CPSI, and developed six conceptual master plans for a universal access playground at three possible park sites in the City of College Station. These designs were presented to the City representatives and the project Club sponsors in December 2013. In April of 2014, the College Station City Council approved the concept for such a project.
Q: What has been the community’s response to the Fun For All Playground?
The community has really embraced this project. For one, it is not a government project! It is a “community project” that grew out of a desire to meet the needs of underserved citizens in the Bryan – College Station area who live with a disability. Research showed us that, in the seven county area of the BVCOG, 25% of all citizens live with a disability. The other 75% probably know or live with someone with a disability.
Since phase I was opened in August of this year (2019), the CSPARD estimates that we have had a minimum daily attendance of 200 people. [“Build it and they will come”]
Q: How can the community best monitor progress and get updates?
We have just updated our website and will be posting updates as they become available. www.funforallplaygroundbcs.com. Or, people can go to Stephen C. Beachy – Central Park and watch the construction of Phase II while enjoying playing in Phase I. Anyone interested in donating towards this project can do so on our website with a credit card, or they can print off the Donor Form from the website and mail it in with their payment.
Fun For All Playground
P.O.Box 9745
College Station, TX 77842
Or email funforallplayground@gmail.com
Q: What is on the horizon for the Fun For All Playground in 2020 and beyond? What is the next phase of the park (and what might that include)?
Phase II of the playground is under construction right now. We expect it will take about nine months to complete, so therefore everyone can plan on the opening of Phase II sometime over the summer of 2020. It will include a 1/3 size artificial turf athletic field/stadium with seating. This attraction will be suitable for Special Olympic events and sports, as well as house the restroom for the playground. Phase II will also include: the Main Entry, Welcome Plaza, and a Sensory Zone with play equipment for texture, color, and music.
Q: How can the community get involved now and for future phases?
With Phase II under construction, the steering committee is looking towards the future phases. So, we are currently still fund raising for the playground. The sooner we raise the funds for a new section, the sooner that section can go in. It has always been the policy that we will not build until all funding is secured for that section. Some of the future sections are: a veteran exercise area, a stick forest, a nature board walk, a quiet place refuge, nature play area, and sensory gardens.
Phase I will remain open during the construction of Phase II. We purposely designed the phases so we could keep the earlier phases open during the construction of later phases.
Q: Can you speak more in-depth on the special features and amenities envisioned for FFAP? For example: what are the “various ability levels” that will be served at the playground? What are the “educational aspects/challenges meant to spark imagination and enhance quality of life”?
From the beginning, the FFAP steering committee has wanted this playground to appeal to citizens of ‘all abilities’. So you might ask, ‘What are those abilities?’ The playground has been designed with special care given to ‘elevation change’, and other items which parks like this one in other cities have. [For example], few[er] curbs or barriers [which might] prevent people with mobility issues from moving about the playground. That could be wheelchairs, walkers, sight-impaired individuals who have trip points to avoid, children with motion sensitivities, people with development delays, and adults wishing to participate with their children on the equipment. Imagine the parent in a wheelchair who has never been able to play with their kids in a traditional playground. Those playgrounds are not accessible due to the curbing that holds the landing cushioning together. Our playground has all “roll-able” surfaces. At the Grand Opening in August, we had several children who had never swung in a swing. Their disability prevents them from doing so. We have a “round saucer shaped swing” which allowed the parent to swing their child for the very first time in their life. Now, THAT was a touching moment!
Q: Are there or will there be any special events/activities/programs at FFAP in 2020 that you would like to let the community know about? If so, please elaborate.
The Fun For All Playground Steering Committee is [essentially] a fund raising committee with oversight until the playground is completed and turned over to the College Station Parks and Recreation Department to operate and maintain in perpetuity. Therefore, all programming will go through the CSPARD. However, I expect some kind of “ribbon-cutting” will happen this coming summer once Phase II is complete.