The original playground at the town of Perinton's Center Park West off Ayrault Road would have been 23 years old this summer.
So, when they started planning some updates, town leaders asked the community what they wanted to see.
And one big request was accessibility.
That wish was fulfilled this past weekend with the opening of a newly designed play space with features accommodating a wide range of developmental and physical needs, including a wheelchair accessible merry-go-ground.
Town Supervisor Ciaran Hanna told WXXI's Inclusion Desk that the value of accessible play spaces was already evident based on the popularity of a few inclusive features that were installed years ago at Egypt Park.
"We had families that say, 'I have children who with disabilities, or whatever. This is the first time that ... he can play with his siblings on the playground.' So that really made an impact," Hanna said.
The new playground has a music theme, in keeping with its proximity to the town's amphitheater. It's also closer than the original playground to the park's parking areas, restrooms and picnic shelters.
The 4,000-square-foot playground is a two-tiered space connected by ADA accessible sidewalks. It has a "musical hillside" with built-in piano keys and instruments. There also are two 10-foot slides, a rollerslide, climbing ropes, and an accessible surface for wheelchairs, walkers or other mobility devices.
Future plans include an expansion of the play area with the addition of a communication board, swings and other features.
Hanna said representatives from Rochester Accessible Adventures and other groups provided feedback on the playground design, which was created by Parkitects, a Buffalo firm that specializes in inclusive play spaces.
