Fun For All Playground opens Friday

The anticipated Fun For All Playground at Central Park in College Station will open its gates Friday.

The project has been in the works for the past four years. The goal is to let people of all abilities play together.

Lisa Aldrich is the Fun For All Playground Publicity Director. She says the project is important to her because her son has special needs. She says he didn’t grow up with a park like this but always loved feeling included.

"If he could go out and be with other kids and play, it gave him something to strive for,” said Aldrich.

The park gives both kids and parents in wheelchairs easy access to the playground and the splash pad.

David Schmitz is Director of Parks and Recreation with the City of College Station. He says it’s a great place for everyone.

"We've got areas for sensory, and color, and sound motion and a lot of things coming in the plans in the future,” said Schmitz.

There are special swings, a teeter-totter, and a "rocking sleigh." Wheelchairs can be wheeled up in the sleigh and then it rocks back and forth.

Aldrich says this playground wouldn’t have been made possible without all the help and support from the community.

"There is more coming. We have kind of five phases. We have this initial phase which I think will be good because people see we aren't just talking, we're actually doing it and that helps,” said Aldrich.

The Phase 1 Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be on Friday at 4:00 p.m. There will be food, music, and activities.

Though phase 1 is complete, there is still work to do before completing the project. If you'd like to help, contact David Gerling at his email: davidgerling81@gmail.com Lisa Aldrich at her email: lisareal1124@gmail.com or visit the Fun for All Playground website in the related links section of this story.