Starting Monday, work will begin on the first inclusive playground in Abington Township. The playground at Roychester Park will be closed during construction, which is slated for completion by September.

This inclusive playground is the result of efforts initiated and advocated by parents, with the aim of providing a play space that caters to children with various abilities.

An inclusive playground features physical, cognitive, social, sensory, and communicative elements designed to enhance the play experience for all children. These elements remove barriers and ensure that children with different abilities can enjoy the playground equally.

At a July 2022 meeting, Abington's Board of Commissioners approved the project and awarded the proposal for planning and design to Engineering & Land Planning Associates, Inc. The project has now been awarded to MECO Constructors, Inc.

Key features of the playground include:

• Physical elements that promote motor skills, agility, balance, coordination, and endurance.
• Cognitive elements that challenge children to problem-solve and stimulate early childhood development.
• Social and communicative elements designed to encourage interaction and relationship-building.
• Sensory elements such as sights, sounds, and tactile features that engage children’s visual, auditory, and tactile senses.

The playground is expected to provide a space for both verbal and non-verbal children to express their creativity and engage in cooperative play.