View graphic of proposed playground layout.
View the current plans for the playground in Adobe PDF format.

"No design will serve 100 percent of the people 100 percent of the time, but we're trying to make sure that no one group is excessively penalized by the design."

"Finally, what is needed is transgenerational approach to design - the creation of designs that (1) bridge the physical and sensory changes associated with human aging; (2) respond to the widest range of ages and abilities, without penalty to any group; and (3) preserve the individual's sense of dignity and self worth. It's design that sympathizes rather than stigmatizes."
--James Joseph Pirkl, the father of "Transgenerational Design" on his understanding of universal accessibility.

The Playground Project at Albemarle, Inc. is committed to the idea that playgrounds must provide meaningful and stimulating play opportunities with rigor and challenge so that all children can play at the highest level of their abilities. In addition, the Playground Project is committed to playground design that allows adults with mobility or visual limitations to freely interact with and supervise their children.

In 1993, the Playground Project completed Phase One of the playground redevelopment plan. The Phase One play structure provided 95 percent universal accessibility, including upper level accessibility for wheelchair users. In the fall of 2003, hundreds of Community members joined with the Playground Project to build a new tot lot for children ages 2-6, an extensive swing area, and a fantasy play fort for children ages 6-12. The Phase Two design takes into account the wide variety of conditions our children have which require special consideration, including Down Syndrome, dwarfism, cerebral palsy, autism and severe vision and/or hearing loss. The design fully integrates accessible activities so that children are not segregated, and so that all children can play cooperatively together. The design significantly exceeds ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards for playground accessibility for children. Although not required, the design also takes into account the mobility limitations of adult caregivers, and maximizes their ability both to supervise and play with their children. Finally, the design complies with both United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) guidelines and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, and seeks to address foreseeable hazards that may arise when children of diverse abilities play together.

Fundraising is now underway for Phase Three of the playground redevelopment plan. Phase Three will feature the latest in accessible design for children ages 6-12 with equipment that will help develop upper body strength, balance, perceptual discrimination and foster integrated play and fun for all children.

The Albemarle Playground serves a wide constituency throughout Newton, including the 325 children of the Horace Mann Elementary School (a percentage of which require special accommodations for physical limitations) and their pre-school aged siblings, the students of the Day After Day child care program, the campers at the Albemarle Acres summer camp (which historically has enrolled wheelchair using campers as well as employed wheelchair using counselors), the members of the adjacent Boys and Girls Club, the families of children enrolled in Little League and youth soccer activities, and the growing number of toddlers throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. Because of modifications made to the Gath Pool, including installation of a ramp and of an assisted pool lift device, the entire Halloran recreation complex, which includes the Albemarle Playground, has become increasingly popular with families who are accommodating the mobility limitations of one or more of their members. The Playground Project is committed to setting and maintaining high standards for accessibility for this park, as well as to encouraging the adoption of those standards throughout the City.