Playground in Calexico seen as a model project
CALEXICO — Representatives from around the country were in town Friday to acknowledge the initiatives that have taken place at Adrian C. Cordova Park.
CPRS had partnered with PlayCore and the City of Calexico to build the city’s first all-inclusive playground at the park. The playground has been selected by CPRS as a national demonstration site, and, on Friday, children and others were filmed enjoying the park, and city officials spoke about the project.
“This event is to get some photography and video footage of the Cordova Park playground,” said Erica Lacuesta, executive assistant to the city manager. “It has become a national demonstration site for California Parks and Recreations Society. Today they are here to get some footage that will be uploaded to their website to have available for a public advocacy.”
“This is our road show and this is in celebration of the California Park and Recreation statewide initiative called healthy play” said Jennie Sumrell, PlayCore representative. “We have been traveling across the state this week and celebrating various communities that have research based design to their play and recreation environments.”
The park’s rides were built with wheelchair access, and children with special needs are given access to stimulation areas with music and sounds.
“This is the first all-inclusive playground of its kind,” Lacuesta said. “We have seen children who have disabilities be able to access and enjoy it as well. We have also had some adults in wheelchairs come in, bring their children and enjoy the park as well. Because before they could not get onto the playground because of the flooring material. In addition, this playground is bringing together children who can be autistic and want to mingle with others.”
“So this was an initiative that we have done for four years and we have done over 30 projects. We celebrate Calexico today,” said PlayCore’s Sumrell. “This playground was designed for inclusive play, which means not only looking at physical play, but also social participation. They really designed a place for people of all ages and abilities.”
“There are times where children want to come out and mingle with other children, but perhaps they also need a quiet place. The park has areas that have quiet places for children to get away, but still be around others. So it really incorporates a lot of different senses. There’s musical instruments, ramps, areas for running and jumping. All kinds of things for children to enjoy, so it brings together all the children from the city,” Lacuesta said.
The park, which opened in May, was named in honor of a former Calexico police officer who died in a car crash more than more than 10 years ago.