ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
Anticipation is building outside the Murphy-Oakley Community Center, where Asheville Parks & Recreation will be holding a grand opening of the city’s first all-abilities playground on June 25.
The $701,468 playground was designed for people of all abilities with wheelchair-accessible entrances, swings, a slide, climbing and spinning structures and musical instruments to make for sensory-rich play experiences.
“There’s been a lot of buzz about the opening of the new playground, and we’re happy to have been given an upgrade to the play structure and accessibility features. This will ensure Oakley residents will continue to have a safe and accessible meeting point for years to come,” Oakley Neighborhood Association Vice President Amanda Stratton said.
The playground includes a “serenity spot” since children, caregivers and parents often need a place to step away, a news release from the city said.
New sidewalks make the playground easily accessible for people with wheelchairs or limited mobility, and there’s a non-slip rubber surface to soften any falls. A fence around the playground allows kids to safely explore the entire playground with ease.
Many community members experience disabling conditions that range from physical disabilities to cognitive and behavioral challenges such as autism and sensory processing disorders, and playgrounds should embrace and inspire people of all abilities the news release said.
Asheville Parks and Recreation’s Therapeutic Recreation program for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is based out of Murphy-Oakley Community Center, so the all-abilities playground intentionally addresses the needs of this community through an innovative, inclusively-designed environment supporting physical, social-emotional, sensory and communication development, the news release said.
The project was funded by Asheville residents who overwhelmingly approved a general obligation bond in 2016 to address a wide range of parks and recreation projects throughout the city, including playground renovations, community center improvements, enhancements to sports courts and fields and land acquisition for a new park.
“The Oakley park is a focal point for our neighborhood and serves as a meeting place for friends and families. Because it’s centrally located, residents from across Oakley enjoy walking to the park complex as well as the library,” Stratton said.
Kids, families and community members of all ages are invited to celebrate the city’s first all-abilities playground at Murphy-Oakley Community Center at 1:30 p.m. June 25. Open play time will follow a short ceremony with remarks from Asheville Parks and Recreation Director D. Tyrell McGirt. Attendees can also enjoy treats from Annie B’s Homemade Ice Cream courtesy of the city of Asheville.
“We are thrilled to add this fantastic all-abilities playground to our community,” McGirt said in the news release. “As another exciting and equitable multigenerational space for everyone to play and grow, the design reflects Asheville Parks and Recreation’s commitment to social inclusion and ensures every Ashevillian has the opportunity to thrive.”
The playground is the department’s seventh complete playground replacement since 2019. With the Carrier Park playground replacement this summer and investments in Burton Street Community Center’s outdoor space planned for next year, nine of APR’s 19 playgrounds will be new and modernized. Many other playgrounds have also received new equipment, enhanced safety features and accessibility upgrades.
Murphy-Oakley Community Center opened in 1968 with a ballfield, tennis courts, picnic shelter, restrooms, and playground added in the 1970s. The playground was last replaced in 1996. In April, the center’s popular outdoor basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts were resurfaced. The center is located on 749 Fairview Road with ample parking available off Liberty Street.