Children with special needs enjoy Mayfest at new, all-inclusive playground
Children of all abilities are now able to enjoy the festivities at Mayfest, thanks to a new, all-inclusive playground.
For the first time ever, hundreds of students with special needs enjoyed time in a space designed especially for them on Friday for Mayfest’s Special Needs Day.
“I love that they have their own place to go where the safety is there for them to get the sensory involvement,” said Micki Gryzbowski, a special education teacher at Ridglea Hills Elementary.
It’s called the Dream Park. The 57,000 square-foot- playground is in Fort Worth’s Trinity Park. It includes playground equipment that is fully accessible to kids with limited mobility.
The Dream Park first opened in April, making it available just in time for this year’s Mayfest.
“The playground that was here last year, so many of the kids couldn’t play on it,” said Jamie Judd, a parent chaperone. “So this just kind of tops off the perfect day.”
Sabrina Cannon and her son say the Dream Park is a dream come true.
“It means for the kids they get to participate and do different activities on equipment that is not at the regular playground,” Cannon said. “And that means smiles and good times for everybody.”
Up and down or round and round, Mayfest Special Needs Day was a winner in every direction.
The Dream Park is open to all Mayfast attendees. It will be reopened to the public on May 9.
Mayfest runs through Sunday with lots of live music, festival food, art vendors, carnival rides, bounce houses, performing arts, a petting zoo, paddle boats, rock climbing, and free children’s activities.
FOX 4 is a proud sponsor of the annual event. Proceeds from each year’s festival are used for the Trinity River, surrounding parks and community programs.