Category Overview
Local Parks grants help protect these symbols of vibrant communities, providing places for families to gather and play and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in an era when people spend increasing amounts of their time inside. The WWRP is the largest source of local parks funding in Washington, helping communities fund the acquisition, development, and renovation of vital recreation areas and green spaces.
Project Highlights
The Play for All at Raab initiative emerged from the community’s desire for a fully inclusive playground in North Kitsap County. Extensive feedback from local residents highlighted the demand for a nearby play area. Playgrounds serve as vital social hubs for both children and adults, making them essential gathering spots for families with disabilities, who often face challenges in finding spaces where they can engage with the community. Although the playground was thoughtfully designed to cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities, the play features were deliberately chosen to appeal to everyone. With the arrival of the Covid pandemic, the project faced significant delays. This disruption, combined with the increase in the consumer price index, required modifications to the original project scope. After implementing value engineering strategies, the design was quickly adapted to create an inviting play space that still fulfilled the project’s objectives. The initial plan included a 9,000 square foot playground featuring a soft, padded synthetic surface and wheelchair-accessible ramps. The updated equipment also incorporated specially designed elements such as a wheelchair-friendly merry-go-round, an inclusive teeter-totter, extra-wide slides, and swing seats. The revised design ensured improved accessibility, including a wheelchair merry-go-round, teeter-totter, wheelchair and saucer swings, a cozy spinning cocoon, as well as sensory and communication stations. To introduce a sliding component, synthetic turf mounds of varying heights allow users to bounce, roll, and slide. Intentional planting, extra ADA parking spots, and an increase in seating further enhance the area. The design also allows for additional expansion of the footprint for potential growth. The end result, the Play for All playground, caters to everyone, providing opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to engage physically, mentally, and socially in the heart of a beloved park.