Inclusive Park Ribbon Cutting

from SOCIALIFE MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2022

Etiquestions

Children of all abilities can now enjoy the Inclusive Park at Blanca E. Sanchez Elementary School in McAllen.

The park, specifically formulated for children who may have mobility or other challenges, represents the collaboration from Hidalgo County Precinct 4, City of McAllen, McAllen ISD, Capable Kids Foundation, H-E-B, and Driscoll Children’s Hospital.

Children entering the park will encounter a play-scape strategically designed to be sensory-rich. There is ramped access throughout, and the layout includes auditory, tactile, and visual experiences. The park also has a first-of-its-kind H-E-B Market Place that promotes imaginative play, social-emotional learning, literacy, and language development. Braille language markings are sprinkled across the park for children who are blind or experience low vision.

Another design-element highlight is a cozy, quiet space for neuro-diverse children to self-regulate if the sights and sounds of the playground become overwhelming.

The new park is between Sanchez Elementary School and the McAllen Youth Baseball Complex and is accessible on weekdays from 5:30-11:00 p.m and 7:00-11:00 p.m. on weekends.

Hidalgo County Precinct 4 and Capable Kids Foundation each contributed $350,000 to purchase a three-part play system for the park. H-E-B donated $100,000, and Driscoll Health Plan donated $25,000 to Capable Kids Foundation to help purchase playground equipment. CAPA (Concrete Asphalt Pipe Aggregates) donated the concrete to Capable Kids for the project, which began in summer 2021.

McAllen ISD installed and will maintain the playscape equipment as the project manager. The City of McAllen built A.D.A.-accessible restrooms and expanded the parking lot.

McAllen Photography by Sergio Aratia