Fun times are ahead for children with disabilities and children without disabilities who will be able to play together on the first inclusive playground in the City of Chino Hills.
Crossroads Park on the corner of Carbon Canyon Road and Chino Hills Parkway, south of Veterans Park, will feature a playground with routes that are wide enough to allow wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and children with mobility aids to move freely from one area to the next.
The design for the “inclusive” playground (shown in photo) was approved by the Chino Hills Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday.
After the architect finalizes the plans, documents will be prepared to send the project to bid.
The playground will replace an aging 20-year-old playground.
The large shade trees surrounding the existing playground will not be removed.
Accessible fitness equipment will also be installed adjacent to the playground and all picnic areas will be accessible with increased bench seating.
Nine parking spaces will be added for a total of 33 spaces with three of them accessible parking spaces.
The commission asked city staff to try and find a way to add one more accessible parking space for a total of four.
Commissioner Greg Higgins said the playground is fantastic and it would be a shame to offer an inclusive park without enough accessible parking spaces.
Luther Martin, parks and open space supervisor, said the playground will include a rocker boat feature for both parents and their children in wheelchairs.
Sensory features will include musical instruments, including chimes.
Mr. Martin said the playground can also be enjoyed by parents with disabilities who will be able to interact with their children in a way they cannot at a standard park.
He said the playground includes “transfer stations” that enable a person using a wheelchair to transfer out of the chair and into another part of the playground.
Commissioner Samantha James-Perez said the park needs to have a sign as soon as possible.
“It’s kind of a glaring omission to build an inclusive playground and not tell residents where the park is,” she said.
The park also includes two tennis courts, barbecues, a gazebo, picnic areas, and restrooms.
Funding sources for the playground include a parks grant from the state of $209,478 with a 20 percent match by the city for $52,772, and a $100,000 donation from the Chino Hills Community Foundation for a total of $362,250.
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