A new playground built so children of all abilities can play together opens Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Blue Valley Rec Sports Complex in Overland Park.
Brody Rea's Boundless Playground, located near Fields 3-4 at the southwest corner of 137th Street and Antioch, will be open from dawn to dusk. Blue Valley Recreation and Variety KC will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The playground is named for 15-year-old Brody Rea, who was born with a rare genetic difference that creates neurological and physical challenges. He was diagnosed with autism at age 2. His parents, Michael and Brandy Rea, created the Michael & Brandy Rea Family Foundation to support families raising children with special needs.
"If you know Brody, you know that his favorite thing is to be in motion," Michael Rea said at the April 9 groundbreaking ceremony, as KCUR reported. "Car rides, roller coasters, boat rides, and if you've seen him at a playground, you'll know that his favorite thing is the swing."
The playground features inclusive swings, ground-level play structures, poured-in-place surfacing for wheelchair and mobility device access, sensory-rich activities and music stations, and quiet retreat areas. Fully accessible restrooms with adult changing tables, shaded areas and fencing around the entire site round out the design.
Rather than creating a separate accessible section, the playground incorporates inclusive features throughout so children with different abilities share the same space.
PlayCore, a national play and recreation organization, designated the site a National Demonstration Site under two standards: the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design and Play On! – Promoting Physical Activity Through Play.
The project is a partnership among Blue Valley Recreation, Variety KC, Cunningham Recreation and the Michael & Brandy Rea Family Foundation, with design work by Hollis + Miller Architects.
Construction broke ground April 9.
Marc Harrell, chief inclusion officer for Variety KC, said at the April 9 groundbreaking that the playground's design ensures no child is left out. Shane DeWald, executive director of Blue Valley Recreation, said at the same April event that the organization plans additional inclusive improvements in future phases.
According to the CDC, 1 in 6 U.S. children has a developmental or physical disability. Organizers said fewer than 1 in 5 public playgrounds is considered truly inclusive for children with mobility, sensory or cognitive disabilities, organizers told KCTV5 .
The playground is free and open to the public. Blue Valley Recreation can be reached at (913) 685-6000 or bluevalleyrec.org.
Upcoming community dates
- Tuesday, Oct. 13 — Ribbon-cutting ceremony, Brody Rea's Boundless Playground, Blue Valley Rec Sports Complex, 137th Street and Antioch, Overland Park
- Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Playground opens to the public, dawn to dusk daily
