Ground Breaking for Accessible Playground

Groundbreaking for Accessible Playground at Northeast Community Park

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The next phase of growth at Northeast Community Park is officially underway, as community leaders and partners prepare to break ground on a new fully accessible playground designed for children of all abilities.

The accessible playground represents Phase 3 of the park’s ongoing development and reflects the park’s mission to create a space where everyone in north Springfield can gather, connect, and play. The project has now been fully funded through the generosity of donors and community partners, marking a major milestone for the park and the families it serves.

“This playground is about more than equipment—it’s about belonging,” said Joe Sardo, Park Development Director. “We are creating a place where every one, regardless of ability, can experience the joy of play alongside their peers.”

Once complete, the playground will feature inclusive design elements that allow children of varying physical and developmental abilities to play together. Accessible playgrounds are intentionally designed to remove barriers, often including features such as wheelchair-friendly surfaces, adaptive swings, and interactive sensory elements that promote shared experiences for all users.

Located at 3535 N. Glenstone Avenue, Northeast Community Park was created to serve an area long identified as lacking recreational resources—a “play desert” for many families in north Springfield. Since opening in 2024, the park has already become a hub for community life, offering walking paths, sports courts, and gathering spaces for residents.

The addition of the accessible playground builds on that momentum, further establishing the park as a destination for families and a model for community-centered development.

Construction began with the groundbreaking, and has a projected opening in early summer 2026, targeting late May.