NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The city of Negaunee is one step closer to getting a new sensory-friendly park.
During a meeting of Negaunee’s Parks and Recreation Commission, members were presented with artist renderings of what the park will look like if approved. The commission heard from members of the community, including parents of special-needs children.
The new park will be a more subdued environment with less distracting loud noises, and handicap accessible fixtures including a merry go round that will accommodate wheelchairs, a barrier-free slide and double swings allowing parents to ride with their kids.
The proposed park will be built on the site of the seldom used Ann Street Park, about a half mile from downtown. Jamie Glenn, an accessibility advocate with SAIL and consultant to the project, says the new playground will be for everyone, regardless of physical ability.
“It’s just really important to have a space where everybody can come and just gather and play together. You know not every park can offer that and this park, definitely, you know, has a lot of accessible features, and you know is going to be inaccessible and inclusive space for everybody,” said Glenn.
The next step in the approval process will be a presentation to the Negaunee City Planning Commission, and if approved, it will go to the City Council for final approval.
