You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

Accessibility is child's play for alumna who creates local playground

By Amy Boxrud '89
October 8, 2004

PostenPlayground
Beth Newman Benson, playground planner John Slack (center) and Howard Merriam at the playground site. Slack, a Minneapolis architect, is incoming president of the Minnesota chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Beth Newman Benson '92 will soon realize her goal of creating a playground in Northfield where her 5-year-old son, Judah, and other children with disabilities can play alongside their siblings and friends. As chair of the Spring Creek Accessible Playground Committee, Benson is working with the Northfield Park Board and the College City Sertoma Club to build the first barrier-free playground in Rice County.

The playground will be at least 70 percent accessible to children in wheelchairs, with 20 interactive play panels to challenge children with mental disabilities. "This will be an exciting, safe place for all children to play," says Benson. Located off Jefferson Parkway, the playground will be part of a new $1 million park complex that includes soccer fields, a basketball court, handicapped-accessible trails, a shelter and a 160-vehicle parking lot.

Persistence and patience have paid off for the playground organizers, who came up with the idea three years ago. "Accessible playgrounds are not that common," says Northfield's Director of Resources and Park Planning Howard Merriam. "That's what makes this project different. It just takes longer to get all the parts in place," he adds.

The city of Northfield provided the land and an initial $30,000 for the project. Benson's committee raised an additional $120,000 from area foundations, businesses and private donors. The committee still plans to raise $30,000 to install rubberized pavement -- a safer, easier surface for maneuvering wheelchairs and walkers.

Playground construction will begin later this fall. "We'll start with the grading, infrastructure and towers," says Merriam, "and, weather permitting, we?ll have a completed playground yet this year."

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.