Opportunities Without Boundaries
Where everyone, regardless of ability or disability, is welcomed
Lisle Park District, in partnership with Unlimited Play Playgrounds, constructed a universally accessible playground, aptly named 'Discovery Playground,' located in Community Park near the entrance to Sea Lion Aquatic Park (1825 Short Street, Lisle).
With the help of the nonprofit, Unlimited Play, a generous $100,000 donation from the Lisle Partners for Parks Foundation, and overwhelming support from local businesses and residents alike, the project broke ground in the late summer of 2019. While there were some speedbumps along the way, the community came together to make the vision of an inclusive playground possible. Thanks to the tireless efforts and impressive skill of Lisle Park District Parks & Playground Specialists, the playground was constructed and officially opened to the public at a ribbon cutting on Saturday, August 29, 2020.
As mentioned during the small ceremony by Lisle Park District Director, Dan Garvy, none of this would have been possible without the support of local organizations, including the Lisle Partners for Parks Foundation, SEASPAR, The Main Street Organization of Realtors, as well as great support from the Lisle community and beyond. The park district is proud to provide an inclusive, safe play space for all ages and abilities, and could not be prouder of the work done by parks staff to make the mission a reality.
Director Garvy summed up the opportunity to bring this project to the community, saying "Let Discovery Playground, Opportunities without Boundaries, serve as a testament to what a community can do together, and be a beacon of inspiration and hope moving forward." Children and adults, with and without disabilities and/or critical illnesses, have the opportunity to play, learn, and grow, in a space specifically designed to remove physical and social barriers.
Unlimited Play is a nonprofit organization that works with communities to build universally inclusive playgrounds to promote health and wellness and change communities by providing freedom of play for all children. The organization helps plan, design, and build fully accessible playgrounds, allowing children – regardless of their abilities – to play together.