All Abilities Playground Set to Start Construction Monday Morning in McCormick Park
A dozen realtors will roll up their sleeves on Monday and volunteer to help make the All Abilities Playground at McCormick Park a reality. Missoula Organization of Realtors Board President Brint Wahlberg said the playground is specifically designed for special needs children in mind.
"I know the centerpiece is completely accessible," Wahlberg said. "A play structure that kind of represents a mountain that even wheelchairs can get up and go down. It has a climbing wall side and a slide side. I think it's going to resemble almost like Mount Sentinel with it's design and decor. It's something that's kind of the centerpiece of the whole park."
Wahlberg said he can’t wait to start construction on the playground because it’s something he’s been telling many people is near and dear to his heart—his son has autism and a playground that kids of all abilities can have access too, Wahlberg said, is an amazing thing.
"I've been very impressed with the amount of consideration and effort and attention to detail for all sorts of kiddos," Wahlberg said. "You get a lot of situations where, as parents, it can be challenging to take your special needs kids to parks, to restaurants, to events and things like that. So to have a playground like this that takes all of this into consideration so as a parent you can be more relaxed and your kid can have fun—this is an awesome thing."
With shifts beginning at 7 a.m., Wahlberg said work on the playground will be completed by the end of the day on Monday.
To volunteer, contact Jenny Montgomery at (406) 838-6752.