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New playground will be inclusive

By Natasha Clark

Reminder Assistant Editor



LONGMEADOW Longmeadow was recently awarded the honor of having the region's first Boundless Playground.

In honor of outgoing President of Hasbro Games Segment, E. David Wilson, Hasbro, Inc. awarded a $300,000 grant to the Longmeadow Parks and Recreation Department to build a playground that all children can use.

Michael McCarty, Director of Longmeadow's Parks and Recreation Department, officially announced the news at the Select Board's Dec. 19 meeting.

The grant will help build a 7,500 square foot play space that will either incorporate or replace the existing playground at Bliss Park, said McCarty.

McCarty also added that Boundless Playgrounds help cut down barriers and help children have a "meaningful play experience."

"The beauty of a Boundless Playground is that it uses the same type of equipment as any other playground," Debbie Midford, Director of Program Delivery at Boundless Playgrounds, told Reminder Publications.

Midford explained that it is not really the equipment that is different, it's the design.

"We have taken a look at how children develop and we've incorporated different phases of their development on the playground ... In addition we look at an environment that is barrier free," Midford said.

She added that Boundless Playgrounds have visual cues that are there to let children know there will be a change in the structure. She said that some children with disabilities who use a walker or have a caretaker can often be excluded from regular playgrounds, so Boundless Playgrounds have surfaces that are easy to navigate.

Founded in 1997, Boundless Playgrounds is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn. and so far has helped build 80 Boundless Playgrounds in 21 states and Canada. Midford said the goal is to have them available everywhere.

"Eighty is not a lot. It's a lot for a small organization," Midford said, adding that the company is working with partners to expand the operation and, hopefully in the future "look at hundreds [of Boundless Playgrounds] in the entire North America."

Midford said the company usually helps municipalities or organizations get funding for the playgrounds, but Longmeadow is a different situation.

"Because of the relationship with Hasbro, this is a little of a hybrid approach. Most of our work is in the fund-raising area, promoting the playground to the community," Midford said. "Hasbro is funding [Longmeadow's playground], although the community has to do some of the work."

"I think the entire Longmeadow Community will benefit from Hasbro's commitment," added Kathy Andrews, Director of Communications at Boundless Playgrounds.

The Longmeadow Parks and Recreation Department hopes to have the Boundless Playground completed with a grand opening in June 2006.

To learn about Boundless Playgrounds visit www.boundlessplaygrounds.org.

According to information released by Hasbro, "E. David Wilson's Hasbro career began in 1972 when he joined Parker Bros. as Vice President of Sales. After holding various management positions at Milton Bradley in the 1980s, he was named President of MB in 1990. Since 1999, Wilson has led Hasbro Games as its President, and in 2004 he was promoted to President, Hasbro Games Segment and Executive Vice President Global Business Integration."