Mercerdale Playground Renovation Project

I am writing in support of a fully accessible playground, one that can be actively enjoyed by all children and their families, regardless of physical abilities. As a Mercer Island resident and the mother of a child with cerebral palsy, it is difficult to put into words how heartbreaking it is for your child to have to watch other kids play on a playground from afar because it is not built in a way for them to participate. The impact has long lasting effects that most of us do not begin to realize. Although most parents are unaware of how things like wood chips or walkways without handlebars or platforms and slides that can only be accessed by stairs or monkey bars might impact others, they have serious consequences for those who are physically challenged. Please make sure our kids have a place to play that is safe and accessible to all. Our children of all abilities deserve it.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=playground+surfaces+for+wheelchair+kids+ada&qpvt=playground+surfaces+for+wheelchair+kids+ADA&form=IGRE&first=1&tsc=ImageHoverTitle

There are many different surfaces for wheelchair bound kids. Access is one issue. However a playground needs to be designed for kids of all ages and abilities. The two demographics not involved in this decision making are disabled kids, and kids in general.

The issue with this design is it is in a park, and is very unsympathetic to its natural surroundings. We put playgrounds in parks because kids like nature and the outdoors, and live too much of their lives indoors, especially if disabled.

The design looks like the inside of a Bellevue office building with gray carpeting, and like no other playground on MI I am familiar with. Very sterile. If the footprint is going to expand, which is a big issue in this park which already has so much of its limited area developed or paved, the surface should not contrast so highly with the other textures and colors in the park, which are the colors and textures of nature.

My advice in the past is for the city to post photos of other, existing playgrounds that meet the access requirements it seeks, so citizens can see what other cities have done. Starting with two presumptive designs, and then reducing that to one based on 12 comments, for a playground that will be there for 20 years, is rash IMO.

I used this playground for many years when my kids were young. I have no objection to a new playground (depending on the increased footprint), or that it be accessible to those in wheelchairs, but MI might not have the best designer in the world, and why does the city always feel it has to reinvent the wheel.

Click on the link above and see if there is a design you prefer over what the city is preliminarily suggesting based on 12 citizen comments.

Make the playground look more like the park it sits in is my one desire, and has no impact on accessiblity.

1) I’m appalled that citizens are suggesting designing a playground that is inaccessible to every child.

2) One design comment-
The current playground serves both preschool and older kids. This one looks like it is preschool only. Making an accessible playground does not mean designing only for young kids. In fact, older DD/ID kids and young adults use and enjoy playgrounds. Check out the accessibly-designed playground near Bell Sq Mall, which is always packed, for better ideas.

If the playground is supposed to be accessible to all, it must to have a surface that can be navigated by wheelchairs and those with limited mobility with ease. Otherwise, accessible to all is just a title used to make us feel good about inclusiveness that doesn’t actually exist.

I think the solution is to have both a natural section, as well as an artificial ADA non-natural section, that way, ALL groups are accommodated for. And if there is a drainage issue with woodchip, then there is going to be an even bigger issue with the impervious rubber surface. And I don't know if you realize that the base is made from recycled tires which are not environmentally friendly at all. It is toxic. And woodchip is free. Why is the Parks' Department looking to spend more money when there are budget issues?

First I wish more notice had been provided for the first virtual meeting. 12 citizens attending the Zoom meeting is not reflective of the interest in such an important playground in such a sensitive park. I hope the city works harder to get notice out for the second virtual meeting.

Second I wish it had been clearer this playground is primarily designed for disabled children, which explains some of its design features.

When it comes to design, probably the increased size of the playground in a corner of a major park, and the impervious rubberized concrete surface, are two primary concerns I have (especially with such unnatural colors of red, black and gray). Considering the playground is primarily designed for disabled children, and it is in a major but relatively small park, I think the footprint is too large.

I think there will be adult park lovers who see Mercerdale Park as a bellwhether who will be dismayed at such a large and unnatural looking playground that does not fit in with the surrounding natural features, from the colors to the materials to the gray rubberized concrete surface.

To me the playground seems "unnatural", more like what a commercial indoor playground would look like.

Other issues with the rubberized surface -- which is designed to be wheelchair accessible -- is it can be very hot in the summer, which is a problem with a similar accessible playground in Bellevue. The other issues have to do with cleanliness, and how to clean the impervious surface from food and drink spills, gum, dog urine, and so on.

Other issues parents of disabled children have raised have to do with whether non-disabled children will want to use the park, which could give the park a stigma among children, and what to do if there is a sibling who is not disabled but finds the playground boring or not challenging enough.

I would like to see more color, and even some vegetation. Kids love color. Red, Black and Gray are not colors consistent with an outdoor park, and are too much like our weather. Considering the proposed rubberized concrete surface is impervious and unnatural, there is almost nothing about the playground that looks natural, from wood to plants to colors.

Please make the new playground accessible to all...kids and people with disabilities. Thank you

Thank you to our City & our Parks Department for asking for Community Input. I am grateful that you are asking for this community feedback and that you are allowing us to weigh in on this very important public space for our community. As discussed at previous meetings, I feel as though it is greatly important to create a park on Mercer Island that is inclusive for children of all different scenarios & needs. Including sensory toys, physical manipulations etc. that would welcome the diverse population of this island, and create a space to play that is accesible and inclusive for all of the kids on this island. Thank you so much for your consideration.

I have been so impressed by the City's willingness to hear and incorporate input from the community! My grandson Ford is 4 years old, and in a wheelchair. He wants so much to be able to play alongside his little sister and other typically abled kids. And I love how Mercer Island residents have jumped on board this effort to make Mercer Island a regional showcase for accessibility and inclusion for everyone, from kids like my grandson and others with special needs, including their parents, to senior citizens who long to go to the parks and watch their grandchildren play. In a year that has been historically difficult for everyone, it is so wonderful to see the compassion and generosity that this effort has revealed. Thank you!

Love keeping the train theme alive - however, the playground feels very focused towards super young children. Any chance to add elements that would appeal to older kids 7-10 years old?

So excited for this project! When weather is nice we still head down to the train park multiple times a week when open. My kids would really love the playground to have a play structure that is for older elementary kids as well as the toddlers. After Rainbow was redone it lost a lot of its attraction for the older elementary kids. I would love to see a bigger play structure with longer slides and monkey bars/rings. With so many small little things to climb on it would be nice to have some things to attract the 6-10 year olds that still enjoy playing on a playground. My kids loved the rainbow park and were so excited when it was being renovated, but now sadly refer to it as the baby park.

Very exciting! Thank you for making accessibility and inclusion a priority by selecting accessible equipment and replacing the wood chips with an accessible surface. Love that there will still be a train at "train park" and it is wonderful to see sun shades in the design. I would suggest replacing the Aeroglider sway structure with an accessible in-ground trampoline such as the one at downtown Bellevue park. Love the musical features, Mercerdale currently does not have that. Thank you!

Love that this playground is accessible and inclusive! My kids (middle elementary age) would love more things to climb on. Could you incorporate a taller play structure with monkey bars, bigger slide, etc, with the accessible section of the playground?

This is a very important turning point for Mercerdale Park. The renovated playground must be made as accessible and inclusive as possible given the tight budget and timeline. The city is now considering design options and equipment choices and needs to hear from citizens. Please weigh in and encourage this as a high priority. Public input is essential. Special-needs children and all kids will benefit, as well as parents and us senior grandparents! Contact me if you want to help.