CommonGround PlayGround

Lakeland 's Inclusive Play
Experience for Children of Varying Abilities

What is CommonGround?
CommonGround will be Lakeland 's first "inclusive play experience," a term used to describe non-traditional play areas. Children of varying abilities and disabilities will be able to play together side-by-side. CommonGround will be much more than a playground; it will be a play experience designed for families with children of all ages and stages of development. It will be the first public inclusive play experience built in Polk County, providing an outdoor play area for the estimated 15,000 special needs children located in our county.

Where will it be located?
CommonGround will be located in Veterans Park on Edgewood Drive , adjacent to the Beerman Tennis Center and across the street from Cleveland Heights Golf Course.

Why do we need an inclusive play experience?
Typically children with disabilities do not have the opportunity to experience the joy of playing on a playground, yet play matters. Experts in pediatrics and early childhood education note that play is a fundamental aspect of childhood in that it encourages social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth. CommonGround will be a uniquely configured "playscape", providing activities with sensory rich elements that encourage the interaction and development of all children. This inclusive playground will offer the following types of play areas: individual areas that appeal to autistic children, areas of play that help improve balance for Down Syndrome children, visual components for learning impaired children, musical and sensory components for visually impaired children, group play components for socially challenged children, as well as play equipment designed to stretch and exercise the body for children with physical disabilities. These areas of play are designed interactively to promote socialization and development of all children in their own unique way.

Currently, the state of Florida has six public inclusive playgrounds; Governor Bush has set an initiative to encourage the construction of 44 additional playgrounds statewide.

Join us to develop this unique environment where children of varying abilities can play on CommonGround.