FORT WORTH (1080 KRLD) - A “Dream” becomes a reality in Fort Worth.
The city has officially opened Frank Kent’s Dream Park in Trinity Park.
Dream Park is a playground designed to be enjoyed by kids of all ability levels, especially those with disabilities.
At today’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Rachael Churchill, who helped lead the effort to get the playground built, noted that it was a long journey.
“(We) started on this journey six years ago,” said Churchill, “and I could not be more thrilled to have the park open to everybody today.”
Churchill, who was joined in the effort by Sandy Mesch and Corrie Watson, says the park was made possibly entirely by the generosity of the community.
“The playground was over $3 million and it was completely funded by donations,” Churchill said.
Key features of the park include:
• A rubber surface that allows easy access for wheelchairs and walkers.
• Swings with back support for children with low muscle tone.
• Roller slide, which provides kids sensory stimulation through the application of deep-muscle pressure from the steel rollers. These rollers will not affect cochlear implants.
• Sensory-rich environment including musical and parallel play elements
• ZipKrooz(TM) zipline with two bays, one with a disc seat and one with a molded bucket seat with lock-in-place harness, so children with limited core strength can participate.
• Ground-level elements, like the Sway Fun® glider with room for two wheelchairs, plus two large benches for other passengers.
• We-saw(TM),a new take on a traditional seesaw, with a unique design and gentle rocking motion that invites kids and families of all ages and abilities to participate.
• OmniSpin® Spinner offers children of all abilities valuable vestibular sensory stimulation and encourages interactive play.
• Cozy Dome®, dome structures that provides a quiet space for over-stimulated kids.
• A new parking lot, handicap accessible parking and extra wide sidewalks.
• Over an acre of fenced play space to prevent children from leaving the area.
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price was also at today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony and said the playground is something the whole city can be proud of.
“It truly makes us the envy of the nation to have this tremendous park right here in the middle of our central city,” said Mayor Price. “A park where every child can feel safe and can feel comfortable.”
Kids visiting the park for the first time give it rave reviews.
“I think it's great,” says Eve Fruje, 7, who has a prosthetic leg. “My sister (and I) can do pretty much everything here.”
Eve’s friend, Clara Rawlings, 7, agrees.
“It's really cool and fun that all sorts of kids can come and play here,” says Clara.
Mayor Price noted that a lot of people worked hard over the last six years to make Dream Park a reality.
“Nobody more than you families who have advocated for your children, for us to make this a reality,” Mayor Price said, “and I'm pleased to say the dream is now real.”