The Clearly Family Playground (Houston)

Playgrounds are a great part of being a child. Swinging, climbing, making friends, and having fun are important for all children. An accessible playground provides kids of all abilities a chance to relax, interact, and get some exercise.

My family loves going to the Cleary Family Playground in northwest Houston. This 7,000-sq-ft playground is for children with and without disabilities. It is located within the adaptive sports complex at the Langham Creek YMCA. My three children (ages 15, 11, and 4) love playing there.

My middle son has Down syndrome. He doesn’t have a physical disability, but his speech is delayed. Sometimes, it is hard for him to converse with his peers. So the playground is a great place for him to make friends. He loves playing with the other children. Swinging, sliding, and climbing the monkey bars.

Sometimes we meet up with my friend whose son uses a wheelchair. There are ways I think the playground could be even better for him. Perhaps more ramps, more room to maneuver, more wheelchair swings? My friend reminds me that most playgrounds, like the one at her son’s school, offer no access at all. She and her son are very grateful for this nice facility.

The chance to have fun swinging, twirling, and moving with friends should be available to every child. There are 12 fully accessible playgrounds in the Houston area.

Features include:

• Ramps onto the play structure,
• Adaptive swings,
• Rubberized turf for mobility and safety,
• Sensory input activities,
• A range of easy to difficult activities, and
• Numerous shaded areas.

The Cleary Family Playground is truly a place that children of all ages and abilities can have fun playing! Your child may also enjoy some of the adaptive sports programs the Langham Creek Y has to offer.

Learn more at https://langhamadappro.playerspace.com/.

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