The Barton Road housing complex in Wellesley this past week celebrated the opening of a spectacular 10,000 sq. ft. playground privately funded by the Play 2 Dream Foundation started by Wellesley’s Kathy Welsh. The sprawling playground, featuring a fish-shaped bridge and giant colored buckyball-like climbing structures, includes a section for kids ages 2-5 and 5-12. A Dec. 1 ceremony featured appearances by politicians and Boston Celtics assistant coach Walter McCarty, plus a lot of parents and kids. (Note: When I swung by Friday AM the playground was closed due to the surface being wet.)
This is the most accessible playground in wellesley and surrounding areas. The surface is 100% accessible for children in wheelchairs, along with several ADA play panels and equipment, including fitness activity equipment. The ramps also bring children in wheelchairs onto the structure and through two decks, also with play panels to use. The opportunities available that comply with the ADA are more than any other playground around! The number of slides, climbers, cognitive play panels and independent riders were all selected by the children and the number exceeds any playground in wellesley and the surrounding area. The playground can safely hold more than 300 children at once! The playground was temp closed this week for the final color topping of the surface to be applied and to cure. In the future, it is safe to play on when wet.