A NEW ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND

FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY

Dedication Ceremony in South Los Angeles

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks dedicated a new Universally Accessible Playground (UAP) at Martin Luther King, Jr. Therapeutic Center on Saturday, April 19, 2008.

The new playground, located in South Los Angeles, has two play areas, one section for two to five-year-olds and another section for five to twelve-year-olds. Features include a swing set, sand play area and a half-height security fence to help provide a safe environment. The UAP also has resilient rubberized surfacing and shade structures for each play area.

The accessible MLK play area is the 8th UAP operated by the Department of Recreation and Parks. With over 180,000 special needs children in Los Angeles County the new playground, which is completely wheelchair accessible, will provide a brighter future for all children.

What is even more special about this playground is that it is the first UAP to open at a Therapeutic Recreation Center. MLK is one of four Therapeutic Centers run by the Department. All four centers help to provide quality programs for persons with disabilities. So, this new playground was needed and will surely be put to good use.

MLK's universal playground is a project of Shane's Inspiration, an organization that is devoted to creating "accessible playgrounds" that provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play at their highest level.

The $725,000 project was designed by the Bureau of Engineering's Architectural Division. The Bureau's Construction Management Division managed the project, which was built by Malibu Tennis Courts, Inc. Funding came from Prop. 40, Prop. 12 and City Capital Improvement Funds.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Therapeutic Center is located at 3916 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles 90062. For more information on the new playground or the Department in general visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 928-9200.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294