Promoting shoulder-to-shoulder play in Superior

Kenna Hermanson, 9, campaigns for city’s first all-inclusive, all-abilities playground

Kenna Hermanson had pretty much nailed the concept of inclusivity by the age of six.

“Kenna was in first grade, and she noticed that during recess, anyone who had physical limitations was hanging back on the sidewalk, outside the fence, kind of looking in at the playground and watching the rest of the kids play,” recalls her mother Kalee Hermanson.

“That kind of broke her heart. We talked about it at home, and she said: ‘Mom, there’s something we need to do about this.’ ”

Something is getting done—and it’s Kenna, now 9, who’s done much of the heavy lifting.

For more than two years, the young go-getter from Superior, Wisconsin has been drumming up support for an all-inclusive, all-abilities playground in the Twin Ports city.

Using the project name Webster Dream Park, the new structure would replace the existing playground in the 3.27-acre Webster Park in South Superior, and include:

• Special rubberized surfacing to accommodate wheelchairs;
• Inclusive zip lines, swings and merry-go-rounds;
• Sensory play equipment;
• Imaginative play spaces; and
• A sensory garden.

There will be no “special needs” area of the playground, since the park is designed to accommodate shoulder-to-shoulder play.

“The reception has been incredible,” says Kalee, who has helped Kenna present her project to the Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities and the City of Superior Parks and Recreation Commission, and earn enthusiastic feedback.