A NEW PLACE WHERE ALL KIDS CAN PLAY

Dedication of Universally Accessible Playground at Hansen Dam

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks proudly dedicated a new Universally Accessible Playground at Hansen Dam Recreation Area on Friday, February 23, 2007 in Lake View Terrace.

The new boundless playground has three major play areas, one section for 2 to 5-year-olds and two sections for 5 to 12-year-olds. All of the areas have a “Western” theme and feature swings, ladders, a variety of balancing elements, climbers and slides. The 2 to 5-year-old play structure is surrounded by a sand play area and has accessible entrances and exit ramps.

General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri, Senator Alex Padilla and Co-Founder of Shane's Inspiration Tiffany Harris were all in attendance for the special opening. Hansen Dam's Accessible Playground is a project of Shane's Inspiration, an organization that is devoted to creating "boundless playgrounds" that provide opportunities for children of all abilities to play at their highest level. A group of Shane's Inspiration children helped cut the ceremonial ribbon and then enjoyed the new playground.

One of the special features to the 40,000-square-foot playground is a sensory garden maze that features plants with interesting forms, textures, smells, colors and fruits. Other elements include spring toys, crawl tunnels, talking tubes, accessible sand tables and sand diggers.

The $2.4 million project was jointly designed by Shane’s Inspiration, Melendrez Design Partners and the Bureau of Engineering’s Architectural Division. The Bureau’s Recreational and Cultural Facilities Program managed the project, which was built by Simgel Company, Inc. of West Los Angeles. Funding came from Prop 40, the General City Purpose Fund, CD-7 and Lopez Canyon Amenities Fund.

Hansen Dam's UAP is the 5th completed boundless playground operated by the Department. The new playground brings the Department closer to accomplishing our goal to have over 20 Universally Accessible Playground throughout the City of Los Angeles.

With over 160,000 special needs children in Los Angeles County the new playground at Hansen Dam , which is completely wheelchair accessible, will help to provide a brighter future for all children.

Media Contacts:

Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712

Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711