Wisconsin Just Broke Ground On Its First Universally Accessible Park
By Ben Jones|Published November 21, 2023
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Ben Jones
Author
Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
The Dairy State is about to get something new: a park that’s fully inclusive and universally accessible. A groundbreaking recently took place for Moss Park – it’s an ambitious project that will transform an existing park into a new park designed explicitly to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The new park aims to be a pioneering venture that will become a national model. Here’s what you need to know about Moss Park, a universally accessible park in Wisconsin.
The park is a Milwaukee County Park that’s in Wauwatosa. The park property is just north of the Milwaukee County Zoo, and it’s an easy drive from anywhere in the Milwaukee area.
The project is extensive and involves completely overhauling the old park to ensure that every aspect of the space, from baseball fields to walking trails, is revamped to cater inclusively to people with disabilities.
A groundbreaking was held to coincide with with the 33rd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, signifying a significant step toward accessible public spaces.
What sets this park apart is its comprehensive approach. Instead of simply integrating a few inclusive features or constructing a single inclusive playground, the vision is to redevelop the entire park from the ground up, making it entirely accessible and enjoyable for individuals with disabilities.
The $10 million project will unfold in two phases. The initial phase will convert the clubhouse into a fully accessible facility. This refurbished space will include modernized restrooms and inclusive amenities, like changing tables for children and adults, and charging stations for mobility devices. It will also include a universal field equipped with specialized surfacing for wheelchair baseball and softball.
The next phase will include a half-mile, accessible pathway meandering through the park's wooded areas. The park will be named after a gift from an important benefactor, the late philanthropist George F. Moss. The park is scheduled for a final opening in 2025.
Wisconsin has a long way to go to improve accessibility, but it’s good to see projects that are making progress. I’m seeing more and more small improvements in my travels around the state. Lean more about Moss Park on the Discover Wauwatosa website. Make your Wisconsin travel plans on Booking.com, and here’s where to find some of the best Wisconsin natural wonders.
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