Our Playground Mission

The Cindy Miles Adaptive Fund is actively working to build an adaptive playground in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, near the Whitehall Pool and Ironton Rail Trail.

Check back for progress updates, but in the meantime, take a look at the drawings from our partners for a peak at what we’re working toward.


The Benefits of an Adaptive Playground

An adaptive playground features a unique surface that allows for wheelchairs and other equipment to easily move across the grounds. It also has features that allow for safe exploration. Here are the benefits individuals and communities can gain from an adaptive playground:

  • Inclusiveness

    An adaptive playground allows for inclusive play, according to research. With equipment designed specifically for different abilities, kids have the opportunity to grow and develop through physical activity, imagination, and a sense of freedom.

  • Health & Fitness

    The CDC recommends that kids ages 6 through 17 do 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. A playground that allows for children of all abilities to move freely and actively helps all kids meet these exercise goals. It also allows kids to build muscle, improve coordination, and work on physical skills like balance.

  • Community & Social Interaction

    This space will not only bring more types of people to the playground, but more joy and inclusiveness to the community. It also allows for more social interactions and integration of various physical abilities, and allows children to feel like they’re a part of their community.

  • Skill Development

    Outdoor play helps to improve communication, cognition, fine and gross motor skills, and social skills. It can also improve self-esteem and emotional well-being, and play allows kids to better relate to others as they grow into adulthood. With an inclusive, adaptive playground, more kids of all abilities have the opportunity to engage in play and gain the advantages of doing so.