Kids of all physical abilities discover accessible playground Preston's H.O.P.E.

Driving south on Interstate 271, Clevelanders are noticing the playground at the Mandel Jewish Community Center (MJCC) in Beachwood.

They may not know that the playground is open to everyone and was designed for children of all physical abilities.

Preston's H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Play & Enjoy) has been around since fall 2006, and word is still spreading throughout the state about the inclusive playground.

"Some know about it, and others drive by and say 'what is that?'" said park co-chair Stacie Halpern. "Others learn about it when they come here with an organization, like United Cerebral Palsy, which had a family picnic at the park."

In addition to including wheelchair access, Preston's H.O.P.E. includes braille and sound effects for children who are blind or visually impaired; large playhouse windows to facilitate sign language for children who are deaf; and expanded hours (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) for children who are sensitive to sunlight exposure.

"We get feedback from the handicapped and the fully abled about how much they love it," said Debra Posner, the chief marketing officer of the MJCC. "People are coming from all over the region, almost like a destination."

The park is named for Preston Fisher, a boy with spinal muscular atrophy, which prevents the nerves in the spine from controlling muscle function. He lost his battle with the disease in December 2008 at the age of 11.

Stacie Halpern, co-chair of the park, recalls that Preston and his friends enjoyed the Imagination Village section, a series of accessible two-story buildings, including a school house, a bank, a fire station and a construction office.

"The children who use wheelchairs really enjoy getting up high on that upper walkway (connecting the buildings)," Halpern said. "They also like the sand-digging area, which is also accessible for their wheelchairs."

Halpern said he has met people from Columbus and Dayton who have traveled north specifically to visit Preston's H.O.P.E.

"We also had people come up from Texas to interview us, because they were building a similar park in San Antonio called Morgan's Wonderland," Halpern said. "They loved our Imagination Village."

During Preston's life, Halpern said, he realized that he was part of something that would carry an enduring legacy.

"Preston was a very bright child," she said. "He was physically disabled, but he was very smart, very together. He understood the meaning of the park."

Preston's H.O.P.E. is located at 26001 South Woodland Road in Beachwood.

"It's really just about all of the kids and the families who are able to play together," said Jackie Fisher, Preston's mother and co-chair of the park. "Preston's name is on it, and that is inspirational, but it's become so much larger than that."