In early 2002, PlayGarden Founder and Executive Director, Liz Bullard set about to bring the idea of a PlayGarden to life for the Seattle community. Ms. Bullard, a Speech-Language Pathologist working at Boyer Children’s Clinic, happened upon a short article about Manhattan’s Rusk children’s playgarden, which was designed for children with disabilities. Inspired to find a similar program in the Northwest, she began her search for a place where children of all abilities could come to play together. She knew the children and families who needed such a play space well. As Bullard explains, “for over 20 years I had worked with hundreds of children with challenges such as autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delay and hearing or vision impairments. I watched as these children and their parents worked day by day to succeed. Their days were filled with therapy appointments-physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, doctor’s appointments, school and tutoring. They have such intense schedules that most of us would buckle under. But when school is finally out where can these hard working kids go to play?”
Seattle is a world class city with beautiful parks of all kinds: the ride your bike park, the beach park, the woods and trails park and practically a playground every few blocks. These parks, however, do not work for all children.
While parks and playgrounds are ADA compliant, they are often not designed to be inclusive. They are accessible, but not yet inclusive. Most parks and playgrounds are not designed with the needs of autistic children in mind, who may need a fence to prevent elopement. Most parks and playgrounds are not designed with the needs of a child with a disability like cerebral palsy in mind, who may need postural support to play on a swing or seesaw. Most parks and playgrounds are not staffed and parents and children are left to fend for themselves when a difficult social interaction occurs.
By late 2002, Bullard sent out emails and letters to all she thought would be interested in creating an inclusive play space in Seattle. Many who attended these meetings were parents of her clients at Boyer Children’s Clinic. Kathy Sitchin and her young son, Eli, joined the team as did Rick Jones and Dr. Abraham Bergman. In early 2003 the PlayGarden received their first donation from Special Education Teacher, Robin Warmby Laskowsky, which funded the application for non-profit status 501 (c) (3) with the IRS.
Dr. Bergman suggested asking Seattle Parks for a piece of property to house the PlayGarden with the rationale that Parks and Rec were not serving children with disabilities well. Parks Superintendent, Ken Bounds, agreed. Parks would give us a piece of land with the conditions that the PlayGarden would get neighborhood support for the project, raise all of the capital costs and maintain the site. The south end of Colman Playfield, in south central Seattle was chosen for its topography, its existing building and the proximity to I-5 and I-90 for easy access for King county residents.
With a site selected and non profit status achieved, attention was turned to design of the space and fundraising.
By late 2002, Bullard sent out emails and letters to all she thought would be interested in creating an inclusive play space in Seattle. Many who attended these meetings were parents of her clients at Boyer Children’s Clinic. Kathy Sitchin and her young son, Eli joined the team as did Rick Jones and Dr. Abraham Bergman. In early 2003 the PlayGarden received their first donation from Special Education Teacher, Robin Warmby Laskowsky, which funded the application for non-profit status 501 (c) (3) with the IRS.
Dr. Bergman suggested asking Seattle Parks for a piece of property to house the PlayGarden with the rationale that Parks and Rec were not serving children with disabilities well. Parks Superintendent, Ken Bounds agreed. Parks would give us a piece of land with the conditions that the PlayGarden would get neighborhood support for the project, raise all of the capital costs and maintain the site. The south end of Colman Playfield, in south central Seattle was chosen for its topography, its existing building and the proximity to I-5 and I-90 for easy access for King county residents.
With a site selected and non profit status achieved, attention was turned to design of the space and fundraising.