All-Abilities Playground Program

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

More than eight percent of children in El Paso County, Texas have difficulties performing activities due to a physical, mental, or emotional condition. To address the lack of well-designed, all-inclusive parks in the community, especially in low-income neighborhoods, a plan to build all-abilities playgrounds was established in 2018 by El Paso County leaders in partnership with a group of visionary community members. Despite a series of challenges that impacted El Paso community, the first all-abilities playground in El Paso County opened to the public on November 30, 2022, and another two playgrounds are expected to be completed by fall 2023. These inclusive playgrounds provide a safe and accessible play environment for all children and adults. By creating inclusive play areas for everyone, regardless of physical or mental limitations, it helps promote diversity and acceptance within the community while providing safe environments to live and play. County leaders listened to the needs of El Pasoans and partnered with community members and subject matter experts to ensure the success of the plan. As a result of the positive impact of the county’s all-abilities playgrounds initiative, other local government entities followed suit and begun to incorporate all-abilities playgrounds to their parks system.