The schematic design for Santa Monica’s first universally accessible playground will be reviewed by the Santa Monica City Council this Tuesday, Jan. 10. The future playground will be located at Santa Monica State Beach near Ashland Avenue, just north of the Venice border.
Universally accessible playgrounds are spaces where children of all abilities can play side by side, as well as parents with disabilities and seniors.
By providing a place for children to socialize with their differently-abled peers, this type of playground provides a path toward removing the stigma often associated with disabilities. The Santa Monica Disabilities and Recreation & Parks Commissions have advocated for a universally accessible playground in Santa Monica for several years.
The concept for Santa Monica’s universally accessible playground is “The Ship.” A buried clipper ship is the core of the design for this concept. Plans include multi-sensory and active play elements that support development of strength, balance, coordination, social exploration, cooperative play and body awareness.
It is anticipated that construction will begin in late summer 2012.
The agenda for the January 10 City Council meeting is posted online at : http://www01.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2012/20120110/a20120110.htm.
