As a parent of young children, I can attest that all we want for our kids is to see them thrive. The first years, when they are so young and impressionable, feel so delicate. Nothing makes your heart soar higher than seeing their joy, and nothing cuts quite as deep as seeing them hurt or feel left out.
Now imagine you have a child with a developmental or physical disability. What does childhood look like then? What if they were unintentionally excluded because they couldn’t participate in simple experiences like going to the playground, simply because the world wasn’t built with their needs in mind?
How far would you go to make sure they didn’t miss out? To give them a childhood that feels full, connected, and just a little more like everyone else’s?
It’s a problem that two moms, Meaghan Walls and Lauren Citro, set out to solve, not only for their families, but also for every other family who faces the same barriers. As with many great ideas that came before it, it all started over a cup of coffee.
It was 2018, and Meaghan and Lauren were discussing how there was nowhere near their homes where their young kids could play together. Lauren’s son, Brody, was born with Spina Bifida—a condition where the spinal cord doesn’t fully form, affecting his mobility. He uses arm crutches and a wheelchair to navigate the world, neither of which are compatible with a typical playground.
During that meeting, they decided to do something about it, and plans were formed to create a space where everyone could play, regardless of ability. They decided to create a nonprofit organization to fund accessible outdoor recreational opportunities. The co-founders named it “Imagine Inclusion.”
Fortunately, this was a partnership destined for success. Meaghan’s background in universal design and Lauren’s lived experience as a mom with a disabled child helped create an ideal launchpad for the project.
Early on, they met with a playground designer to create the plans. They then met with the City of Omaha Parks and Recreation department to pitch their idea and determine where the park should go.
The group landed on Zorinsky Lake Park at 156th and F streets. As a well-known, popular destination—and with an existing playground already in need of repair, it was an ideal spot for an upgrade. Additionally, it would pave the way for the only accessible playground west of 84th Street.
Next, it was time to fundraise. In May 2019, Imagine Inclusion began hitting major milestones in its efforts to raise capital.
One notable contribution came from City Councilmember Don Rowe, whose district includes the Lake Zorinsky area. To support the effort, he nominated the project to receive $50,000 in discretionary funding allocated for community service.
I spoke with Don, who said he felt the project was a perfect fit for those funds after meeting with Lauren and Meaghan in his office to hear their vision.
After securing several other large donations and a major grant in 2023, they met their fundraising goal. The total project cost was $1.3 million, with the city contributing $200,000.
Imagine Inclusion teamed up with Outdoor Recreation to bring the playground to life, choosing Landscape Structures as the equipment provider for their impressive selection of inclusive play features. The idea was to create socially inclusive experiences for people of all ages, ability levels, and with elements for all sensory systems.
For children with physical disabilities, the playground will feature a two-ramp design and in-ground merry-go-round, among other amenities. Having multiple points of access will allow children using wheelchairs or other mobility devices to continue the flow of play, no matter where they are on the play structure.
The playground will feature a poured rubber surface, offering a smooth, accessible surface that’s easier to navigate than traditional materials like sand or mulch. The surface will feature color variations near areas like slides and swings, providing visual cues for children with vision impairments or information processing disorders to help them recognize transitions in the play space.
There will be sensory elements such as tactile panels, cozy domes to serve as quiet spaces, spinning chairs, musical elements, and a communication board to help nonverbal and limited-verbal children express themselves.
Part of their process was consulting with other families with children with disabilities. Their most requested item? A wheelchair swing. The swing being installed at Zorinsky can accommodate a wheelchair rider as well as other riders, allowing kids of all abilities to swing together.
All in all, the project has been a six-year journey. When they began, Lauren’s oldest son was 3 years old, and he is now 10. Meaghan’s oldest daughter was 4, and she is now 11.
Lauren says that while there were a lot of years of playdates lost because the setting wasn’t accessible for her son, she is hopeful this new playground will give other families the chance to be a part of the community and fun.
“Disability can be lonely and isolating,” she said. “Seeing the playground come to life is indescribable. We know that the community will enjoy it and it will bring so much joy to so many members of the community.”
The playground isn’t just for children, it’s also for parents and family members who may use mobility devices and want to participate in the fun. The duo said the playground provides a space where everyone can have fun and people don’t have to sit on the sidelines watching.
With play available for every ability, they envision the site becoming the go-to spot for playdates, birthday parties, and family gatherings. A family restroom will also be available on-site, complete with a universal access changing table.
Ultimately, Imagine Inclusion hopes their Zorinsky playground will help set a new standard for community playgrounds.
They encourage the community to contact the city to voice their support of this inclusive playground so that accessible amenities will become the standard moving forward.
Councilmember Don Rowe added that thanks to Imagine Inclusion’s efforts, the city has begun installing inclusive design features—like the communication boards—into other Omaha parks as well.
While a date for the grand opening has yet to be set, Imagine Inclusion is hoping for the end of May. In a recent social media post, the City of Omaha Parks & Recreation stated it should be ready by summer.