13 YEARS + 19 LOCATIONS = LIMITLESS PLAY

Dedication of a UAP at Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks - It started 13 years ago in Griffith Park, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) in partnership with non-profit Shane's Inspiration dedicated and opened the first Universally Accessible Playground in the Western United States and the largest in the nation. And that was just the beginning......

Together Recreation and Parks and Shane's Inspiration created a powerful partnership that has revolutionized playground design and utilization. This important collaboration has brought a strong voice to many that were never given the opportunity to simply play in a park. Working together, RAP and Shane's Inspiration encouraged the City to pass a Universally Accessible Playground initiative that promised at least one UAP in every Council District. Then the needed change began to happen and the opportunities for play became limitless.

On Thursday, April 14, 2011, Recreation and Parks and Shane's Inspiration proudly dedicated the 19th Universally Accessible Playground at Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park. This tremendous accomplishment has made the City of Los Angeles the most playable City in the World.

The new 9,300-square-foot UAP is completely wheel-chair accessible and features two sand and water activity centers, slides, bucket swings and a cool mister. The universal play area also has resilient rubberized surfacing, shade canopies and benches. The project was funded by Proposition 40 and designed by Shane's Inspiration with help from Public Works' Bureau of Engineering.

Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Universally Accessible Playground will bring children of all abilities together to play. The UAP's dedication also marked an important accomplishment for RAP and Shane's Inspiration. Catherine Curry-Williams, founder of Shane's Inspiration, spoke at the ribbon cutting and said, "Today I have the amazing gift of hearing and seeing our mission come to reality." Thank you Shane's Inspiration for being such an important part of the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks' family!!

**The Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks UAP is located at 14201 Huston Street in Sherman Oaks 91423.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

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