Chapel Hill opens inclusive new playground at Community Center

COMMUNITY NEWS

By Randy B. Young
Correspondent

This past week, a host of Town of Chapel Hill dignitaries, community activists, and children of all ages took time off from their busy schedules to spend some time on the playground.

On Wednesday, April 16, official and unofficial stewards of community play for all abilities officially opened the new inclusive Community Center Playground, and the children on hand didn’t waste time getting down to the business of “play” either.

The playground design features Burke playground equipment that is accessible to children with a variety of abilities, according to a Town of Chapel Hill news brief. The playground introduces kids to a sensory environment, a place that improves motor and cognitive skills while also promoting social and emotional development.

The play-by-play

Chapel Hill Park and Recreation began efforts to make playgrounds more inclusive this past fall, when it rolled out new inclusive features at nearly all of the town’s playgrounds. Last week reflects the fruition of the move toward inclusivity with the replacement of the decades-old Community Center Park playground with colorful new features, but improvements began in 2024.

Plans to include new inclusive features began last fall with a “Burke Comet Spinner” at Hargraves Park, a “Burke Inclusive Orbit” at both Umstead and Homestead Parks, the Burke Brava Universal Swing at additional locations.

One of the biggest proponents of the inclusive playground designs from the start was community member Marcella Twamley, a mother of two children who will benefit from the new features, and who became chair of the Town’s Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Commission to help push this work forward.

“Our parks are constructed for typically developing children and usually have many barriers to play for our disabled children,” Twamley said in a Town release last fall. “Inclusive places are so important to the health and wellness of all our disabled community members.”

Funding for this project comes from the Chapel Hill’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Community members provided feedback on the use of funds and identified inclusive playgrounds as a priority.

Playing a part…

Noteworthy appearances for the ribbon-cutting at the new inclusive playground at Chapel Hill Community Park included Marcella Twamley, Senior Manager of Planning and Park Operations Kevin Robinson, Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Director Atuya Cornwell, Chapel Hill Mayor Jessica Anderson, Town Manager Mary Jane Nirdlinger, and a host of children and engaged parents and citizens.

“This playground is a direct response to the needs of our community…[serving] children of all abilities, ensuring that no one is left out,” Nirdlinger said at the ribbon cutting. “The accessible swings, the sensory play areas, and the wide, smooth pathways are designed to accommodate everyone.”

Nirdlinger added the new playground reflected work by the entire community, for the community as a whole.

“This playground is the result of the hard work and dedication of our Parks and Recreation Department, our Town Council, and our community members,” she said. “…and this playground shows our commitment to working together to build a community for everyone.”

Mayor Jessica Anderson thanks the community for its input, expertise, and guidance related to the new inclusive playground at Chapel Hill Community Park, as Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department Director Atuya Cornwell looks on. Photo by Randy B. Young

“The play’s the thing…”

Mayor Jessica Anderson spoke proudly about how the features at the Chapel Hill Community Center playground and other Chapel Hill parks would bring together children at play regardless of their abilities.

“We area so thrilled to have this place where everyone can get in on the action and play together,” Mayor Anderson said. “I myself have spent many, many hours at this park, and this is going to be an amazingly different experience for all of our ‘kiddoes’ of all different abilities to be together.”

“There’s pretty much nothing more exciting than getting to come and open for ‘first play’ this amazing park,” Anderson added. “I know that all of the young people and young-at-heart are excited to get playing…”

“Play it forward”

Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation director Atuya Cornwell thanked members of his team—from administrators to facilities upkeep personnel—and announced that park and recreation’s national theme of ‘Build together; play together’ was well reflected in the move toward inclusive options.

“On behalf of our assistant director Nikiya Cherry, our team members…make things happen in the community through programs and upkeep of our parks,” Cornwell said. “We’re super appreciative of what they do on a daily basis, and I’m proud to have them as teammates.”

“So many positive things are going to happen in this space,” Cornwell said from the dais with the playground as backdrop. “Regardless of where your age is on the spectrum of life, I can say with confidence that many of your friendships…and relationships started on a playground or in a park.”

Cornwell also thanked the many people essential to the initiative, including Special Olympics coordinator Colleen Lanigan, principal planner Marcia Purvis, Tanner Thompson from the park maintenance team, Nikiya Cherry, Missie Burrill, and Community Center supervisor Keith Dodson.

Nirdlinger assured the children present at the occasion that the playground had been built for them.

“This is a place where you can be yourself, where you can explore, where you can dream, and where you can grow,” she said. “I hope you can create memories here and have fun.”

“To the parents, guardians, and caregivers here today, thank you for your support and dedication,” Nirdlinger added. “Your love and guidance are the foundation of our community. I hope this space is a place you can relax, connect with other families, and watch your children play.”

Mayor Anderson echoed those sentiments and finally set the children at play.

“I love this part of my job where I get to celebrate amazing new things in our community that represent our values and put them on the ground,” she said. “Thank you everybody, and let’s have fun and play.”

Kids of all abilities christened the renovated, inclusive playground at the Chapel Hill Community Park last week at the official opening of the new facility. Photo by Randy B. Young

A Dartmouth College graduate, Randy B. Young first worked as an award-winning advertising copywriter in New Hampshire, then in communications at UNC for over 30 years. He maintained an award-winning newspaper feature covering Recreation and Exercise in the Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Orange County. Retired and living in Chapel Hill, Randy continues to write for regional publications both locally and in New England, and his book, And the Stars Flew With Us, is available through Amazon and at independent bookstores. He coaches track at Chapel Hill High and has a photography business, Pierless (sic) Photography. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocal Reporter.press