DENVER — Denver Public Schools will soon start construction on a new playground at the Denver Center for International Studies at Fairmont. Unlike so many others, this playground will make sure students of every ability will have the opportunity to play.
Inside any elementary school, the best part of most kids' day happens outside the building at recess.
The kids at DCIS at Fairmont are no different. But here, the places to play aren't suited to all students.
"I mean, it's not bad but for wheelchairs, it's dangerous," said Cora Morgan, a fifth-grade student at DCIS at Fairmont.
Cora and fellow fifth-grade student Gavin Sakotas see their friends with disabilities who want to join in at recess and often are forced to watch instead.
"If they can't go on the woodchips, and if they can't play for the day, they just go into the shade," Gavin said.
It's a problem school leaders like DCIS at Fairmont Assistant Principal Meg Zimmerman sees every day.
"We have a fair amount of students with physical disabilities and also just students that have some sensory needs and things like that our current playground really just doesn't give space for them to play or interact with their peers," Zimmerman said.
“My kids really love their time around their typical peers. And recess is the favorite part of every elementary kid's day. So I think they would really appreciate the opportunity to climb around and play on playground equipment with their peers outside," said Sharon Klebba, a multi-intensive severe classroom teacher at DCIS at Fairmont. "Right now, our current playground structures are covered in mulch so our students that use wheelchairs or have mobility needs struggle to get on and off the playground equipment as it is now.”
"I always hope there would be a playground where kids with disabilities would have their own playground so then they wouldn't have to be alone," said Araya Gonzalez, a fourth-grade student at DCIS at Fairmont.
Unwilling to let their classmates stand by and watch them play, Gavin, Cora and Araya got to work dreaming up a new playground. It's a project they've been working on for years through the school's Design for Change program.
What they've helped create is designed to support every kind of play.
"I think it is going to look like, instead of woodchips there's going to be turf so kids with wheelchairs can do it," Gavin said. "There’s going to be sensory stuff like with colors and different textures for the kids who have different abilities that require like textures and stuff.”
They took their plan to the school's parents, then the school, then the district.
"I've definitely been wanting this to happen," Gavin said.
DPS approved plans to build the district's first inclusive playground.
Sharon Klebba teaches many of these students, she's already looking forward to seeing her students play.
"Just a huge moment and it will mean so much for me as a parent of a DCIS student and a teacher to kids with significant needs," Klebba said.
“I think it’s going to be amazing. I think you know, play for especially elementary school kids is where the majority of relationships are fostered and so just the fact that kids are not only learning in the classroom about inclusivity but can actually live that out on this playground," Zimmerman said.
Work on the new playground will begin in just a few weeks. Cora, Araya and Gavin can't wait.
"Yes, I'm super excited because I can't wait to see all of my friends with a disability actually having fun and not have to sit out during recess," Gavin said.
These three students are so proud of their project to get everyone outside to play when the recess bell rings.
"And I can't wait for them to play with us and not be excluded," Araya said.
DPS paid for this adaptive playground with money from the 2020 bond.
The district is getting ready to break ground at the end of this month. The new playground is expected to be finished just in time for the start of the next school year.
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