Photos and text by Stacie Joy
The revamped Tompkins Square Playgrounds along Avenue B and Seventh Street were unveiled in early October after a year-long upgrade.
Overall, parents have been pleased with the new equipment for their kids, though initially disappointed and angered that some of it already broke down. (According to the Parks Department website, funding for the reconstruction cost $2.57 million.)
However, for those children with special needs, the new inclusive playgrounds, which go beyond what the Americans with Disabilities Act mandates, have been a critically important addition to the neighborhood.
With the permission of his family, I accompanied a 5-year-old East Village resident named Jay as he explored the new equipment. Jay was born legally blind and is deaf without his cochlear implant. He has a rare genetic condition that leaves him with developmental delays and sensory issues.
His mother explains that sensory toys and equipment like those found at the new playground help develop skills that kids need — proprioception, visual, auditory — and assist them in focus and stabilization.
She points out that while there are many playgrounds in the neighborhood, this is the only one that has facilities for kids with sensory processing issues, vision and/or hearing loss, and mobility/balance concerns.
The new playground includes a telescope, outdoor musical instruments like a bell and glockenspiel, fall-protection tiles, hand-bike pedals, a swing with ADA chair, and a shaker play panel — a favorite of Jay’s.
The yellow color of the playground is not just cheerful it can also often be seen by those with low vision. That plus high-contrast differentiation and fall-protection makes it easier and safer to navigate.
[The shaker play panel]
[The telescope]
[Hand-bike petals]
[The Glockenspiel play panel]
HAGS, which designed the equipment, has additional information on inclusive and accessible playgrounds here.
I love this info — thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad we have this for kids like Jay. Thanks for reporting.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that this new park is inclusive for all children! I hope they are adding similar features to Joseph C Sauer park.
ReplyDeleteLast time I was at the park multiple features were broken. The xylophone for example had been “repaired” so that the last three notes don’t play and the mallet was missing.
ReplyDeleteFeel good stories are always marred by someone complaining. I guess that's just the CODB on public blogs.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's nice to read some positive news! Adorable child.
ReplyDeleteI was very happy to see that, too!
ReplyDeleteNow, they just have to be vigilant about doing maintenance as the manufacturer seems to have not been strict enough with the QA/QC.
My kid (now beyond playground age) and I were thinking that the fences should have been high as they were before because that helps keep balls inside. But, maybe people aren't playing with them in there.