The Inclusive Playground In Kansas That’s Oh-So Special
By Lisa Sammons|Published January 09, 2023
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Lisa Sammons
Author
Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
Few things are as frustrating as when you’re ready to relax for an afternoon of doing nothing and the kids start running around the house like they’re full of limitless energy. You can find plenty of family attractions in Kansas, but there’s also something to be said for taking them to an old-fashioned playground and letting them get their energy out by running around with others their own age. There’s plenty of playgrounds in the Sunflower State. Most of our parks and schools have them, and you can also find indoor playgrounds that provide hours of fun. But one of our favorite playgrounds in Kansas is the Shawnee Mission Park’s Inclusive Playground.
Shawnee Mission Park is one of the best parks in Kansas, and it's also among the most visited. The park spans an impressive 1,655 acres through Johnson County, and has plenty of attractions, including trails and a massive lake.
Among the park's newer features is an all-abilities playground that allows kids of different ages and ability levels to play together. The playground is accessible for kids who use wheelchairs, and also has sensory equipment for children with autism.
The ground is made up of a synthetic spongy material that's stroller and wheelchair-accessible, but not hard enough to cause serious harm if a child falls.
It wasn't so long ago that kids with disabilities were sequestered and had to play away from others their own age. Inclusive playgrounds are a great opportunity for all kids to be able to play together safely.
After your little ones have burned off some of their energy on the playground equipment, make sure to enjoy some of the shaded trails that surround the playground.