Kenai Municipal Park gets new inclusive seesaw

Kenai’s Municipal Park, located down South Forest Drive, on Thursday saw the ceremonial opening of a new piece of equipment designed to be accessible to children of all abilities.

The equipment at the center of the celebration is a new inclusive seesaw, which Kenai Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Best said earns that designation through several accommodating elements. It begins with — “believe it or not” — a special rubber mulch area rated for wheelchairs.

The seesaw is also located in a central location right off the main cement pathway and is low to the ground, so children who require wheelchairs can more easily transfer into it. The seat has good back support, the entire structure is designed with contrasting colors more easily discerned by those with a vision disability, and the surface is covered with bumpy circles that are stimulating to the touch.

Best said the rocking of the seesaw is made to be gentle, and there’s space to sit in the middle and move even less. He pointed to different areas of the park that are rated for different age groups — separate areas for 2-5 year-olds and 5-12 year-olds — but the new seesaw is rated for that whole age range.

The new location of the seesaw, Best said, was once occupied by “a legacy tree,” dated at least 150 years old after it came down. It was “a big, central part of this park.” Filling the space with a new, inclusive piece of equipment is a special opportunity, and he credited Marathon Corporation with providing a $20,000 grant that made the installation possible.

Bruce Jackman, the general manager at Marathon’s refinery in Nikiski, said he was proud to see his corporation supporting the development.

“This park is an outstanding, beautiful place,” he said. “It looks like a great place for the kids to play. Marathon, this fall, will be in the community for 55 years. We’re proud to be part of this community, proud to be a little part of this park and to support the installation of this little teeter-totter.”

Best said that having an inclusive playground doesn’t necessarily mean having every piece of equipment being specially designed for that purpose — instead, it means having an option, and having an option that’s included as a central part of the park “where any kid of any ability can be in the middle of play.”

It’s about creating a future where any child can come to any park to play and to meet other kids outside. This first installation is a statement by the city in pursuit of that future, and Best said he eventually wants to see inclusive equipment available at all Kenai parks.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.