Representatives from the City of San Bernardino, the LA Kings, LA Galaxy, and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians collaborated with KABOOM! to open an accessible playspace at Lionel E. Hudson Park, which had its official opening Saturday, May 22.
“We know disasters and crises often exacerbate the inequities that communities are already experiencing, and in many communities, kids won’t have a playground to go back to once the COVID-19 crisis is over,” says James Siegal, CEO of KABOOM!. “We must stop the playspace inequities from becoming even deeper after we get through this pandemic, giving every kid the chance to play and just enjoy being a kid.” KABOOM! is a national non-profit dedicated to playspace inequity.
In January of last year, kids from the community participated in Design Day, where they contributed drawings of their dream playgrounds. The drawings were used as inspiration for the playspace design, resulting in an inclusive playground with climbing apparatus, musical elements, logic games, and slides. Accessibility features include a wheelchair glider, accessible swing, and ADA-compliant ramps and sidewalks from the parking lot to the playground.
The new playground helps end playspace inequity and creates a new space for kids to play that reflects the neighborhood’s unique needs and aspirations.
