By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – A community-wide effort has led to the opening of the first playground in the Twin-Cities where kids with and without disabilities can play together.

Harmony Park officially opened Thursday located at 1002 South Hershey Road in Bloomington.  The playground replaced aging equipment at Rollingbrook Park, which was chosen for its size, access to Constitution Trail, and easy road access.

The park features equipment for children of all abilities.  Things like the rock-and-raft, a boat like structure, meant for children in wheel chairs, and the merry-go-all, which has a high back molded seat for kids with lower muscle tone.

“It’s truly incredible to see all of these kids playing together,” said Jennifer Brown, a co-chair of the project.  “I saw a little girl pushing her brother in a wheel chair up one of the ramps.  That’s really what we wanted this park to be, an inclusive space,” said Brown.

“I think the more you bring kids together that are different than each other, you start to break down that fear of the other,” said project co-chair Corin Chapman, who has a five-year old son with a genetic disorder limiting his mobility.  “Ultimately, we hope this playground will help build a much better community that understands each other and cares about one another.”

City Manager Tim Gleason said personally, this project hit home.

“I’ve got a seven-year old grandson that my daughter and son-in-law will always be his caregiver because he has a rare syndrome called Pitt-Hopkins.  Having places like this in a community are critical for families with children that are special, even more special,” he said.

Over $250,000 was raised to build the park thanks to local Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, State Farm, the city, and private donations.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]