MobilityWorks is proud to support the new adaptive playground at Leighton Elementary School in Aurora, Ohio, a space designed to be inclusive for children of all abilities.

The new playground held its “unofficial” opening during the last week of school, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony in November attended by MobilityWorks’ Chief Marketing & Merchandising Officer, Chris Paczak. The playground will give students and the surrounding community a place to connect and play, bringing a new level of inclusivity to Leighton’s grounds. 

Through our donation, MobilityWorks contributed to the playground’s development, including installing special equipment that makes the space accessible to everyone. According to The Portager, one of these additions is the We-Go-Round Merry-Go-Round, an inclusive take on a classic playground fixture that can be used by children with and without mobility devices. Another improvement will be replacing traditional mulch with a smoother surface that allows wheelchair access across the playground. 

 

 

The playground will also feature an adaptive two-way zipline, called a ZipKrooz, that will give children of all abilities the chance to experience the thrill of zipping back and forth safely. The ZipKrooz is comprised of a molded bucket seat and harness that provides support for children with limited trunk stability. A freestanding seat called the Chill Spinner will also be added, where kids can take a spin or relax in the comfortable chair while learning developmental benefits such as centrifugal force and cause-and-effect. Together, these updates create a model of inclusivity that the whole community can enjoy. 

This playground will be a true community asset, providing accessible recreation for Leighton students and those at the nearby Miller Elementary and the surrounding area. At MobilityWorks, we are excited to be part of a project that will benefit children throughout the community and support our mission to help people connect with who and what matters most!