If you live in Waynesville, you are used to seeing the old wooden playground that was built when I was about 8 years old. This is a big playground, built to look like a castle. It is enclosed by a large wooden fence, and it has tall wooden buildings that look like towers scattered around. There are bridges, slides, and swings. There is even an area for younger children. I remember running around this playground playing tag and hide-and-seek. My friends and I always loved that there were lots of small, concealed places to hide in, and that made the games we played way more fun. Never as a kid did I think about how children with disabilities would be able to play in the playground. Now, as Haywood County plans to build an accessible playground, I realize how exclusive my childhood playground really was.

Waynesville has applied for the first ever inclusive playground in Haywood County. If Waynesville gets the grant, they will be building this playground, which would be ADA compliant. This would be a big step for children with disabilities. According to data, Haywood County is ranked the second highest state in the number of exceptional children, with over 1,300 children that would be benefit from an inclusive playground. The cost is estimated to be around $113,000.

I remember when Waynesville added a skate park to the town, a project that started around the year 2010. That project costed an estimated $325,000. I think that it is good that Waynesville put in a skate park; however, I think that it is sad that the skate park came before an inclusive playground.

Where will the playground go? As I mentioned before, if you live in Waynesville, you know which park I referred to that I played on. You will also know about the smaller playground that is located across the railroad tracks behind BI-LO. That playground has needed a remodeling for a long time. If Waynesville is given this grant, the inclusive playground will be built in place of this smaller playground. The parking lot and surrounding area will also be given improvements.

I think that this is a giant step for Waynesville and for Haywood County. It will give children that haven't been able to enjoy the full experience of a playground what they deserve. Play is an extremely important part in the development of children. Playing allows children to develop cognitively by giving them the environment to interact and role play. It is important that all children are able to play and grow, regardless of physical capabilities.

As a future teacher, and as a native of Waynesville, I am very proud that my hometown is taking this big step forward and giving all children the chance to play.