City of Berkley Invites Community to Grand Opening of New Inclusive Playground at Jaycee Park
The City of Berkley is inviting community members of all ages to the grand opening of the new inclusive playground at Jaycee Park on Wednesday, Sept. 20.
The playground features amenities that enable children and adults of all abilities to interact with one another and play. These include a soft surface design throughout the play area, friendship swing and other accessible swings, ramp-accessible large play structure, sensory panels and music as well as accessible seating, among others.
A ribbon cutting and remarks by Mayor Bridget Dean, a member of the City’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Department staff and others will take place at 6 p.m. at Jaycee Park, 3765 Webster Road.
“We are so excited to celebrate the completion of the new playground at Jaycee Park and all that it offers Berkley residents and visitors,” Parks and Recreation Director Theresa McArleton said. “This was a labor of love for our team and our community, and we are incredibly grateful to the many individuals who gave so generously to make this playground even better. We also want to thank the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for helping us create a beautiful space where children and adults of all ages and abilities can come together to play and build community – and enhance the visitor experience at Jaycee Park.”
The playground’s updated and accessible equipment was part of the City’s 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
The $521,888 project was funded through City dollars, crowdfunding and an MEDC match. The City provided $410,088 toward the project, the crowdfunding campaign raised $61,800 – $11,800 over the goal – and the MEDC matched the $50,000 crowdfunding goal through its Public Spaces Community Places program.
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC.
Inclusive play goes beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements to create play experiences that meet a variety of needs and interests. These environments are sensory-rich and enable children to develop physically, socially and emotionally. Inclusive playgrounds are engaging places that provide just the right level of challenge, offer opportunities to succeed and enable adults of varying ages and abilities to actively engage with children in their care.