Four new universal playgrounds open in Allegheny County

Three new universal playgrounds have been opened in Allegheny County, with a fourth set to open in Settler’s Cabin Park by the end of August.

The playgrounds, located in South Park, White Oak Park, and Harrison Hills Park, are specially designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities, while providing entertainment for children of all abilities.

The playgrounds were opened on July 30 by County Executive Dan Onorato, as part of the County Parks Foundation initiative, a recreation non-profit. The one million dollar playgrounds were designed by GameTime, with their $255,376 Childhood Obesity Grant, along with $600,000 from the Regional Asset District, and an additional $200,000 from the capital budget.

“Allegheny County is proud to offer four more universal playgrounds in our regional parks so children of all capabilities can play side by side. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act this week, we’re thrilled to add this new equipment to our parks and continue our efforts to promote accessibility,” says Onorato

“They’re very colorful and very vibrant. They have ramps wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass each other. There are handlebars in places for a child to get out of their wheelchair if they’re able to do so, so they can use the slides,” says Megan Dardanell, Allegheny County Deputy Director of Communications.

Construction on the four playgrounds began at the beginning of the summer, following the success of the first universal playgrounds in Boyce Park and North Park last summer.

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Sources: Dan Onorato, County Executive

Megan Dardanell, County Deputy Director of Communications

Writer: John Farley