The city of Pea Ridge opened its newest park Friday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the all-inclusive playground at Carr Street Park — a space designed so that children of all abilities can play together.
Located off Carr Street near the intersection of Highway 16, the 5.5-acre park includes a fully accessible playground with ramps, sensory panels, and equipment that can be used by children who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility. It’s the first all-inclusive playground in Pea Ridge, and one of only a few in Northwest Arkansas.
“This is a space where everybody can feel welcome,” said Pea Ridge Mayor Nathan See during the ceremony, which drew about 100 residents, including families with young children and city staff.
The project was years in the making. It began with a $250,000 donation from the John and Robyn Adkins Foundation, which supports children with special needs. The city matched that amount with funds from its capital improvement budget, bringing the total investment to $500,000. Additional features — including a walking trail, picnic pavilion, and parking area — were funded separately through the city’s ongoing park development plan.
Parents in the area had long requested a playground that could accommodate children with varying abilities. Jennifer Hall, a Pea Ridge resident whose 6-year-old son uses a wheelchair, said she’s excited to have a place close to home where he can play alongside his siblings without barriers.
“We’ve had to drive to Springdale or Fayetteville for something like this,” Hall said. “Now, it’s right here.”
The playground features several zones, including a climbing structure with transfer stations, a sensory wall with musical elements, and a traditional swing set with bucket and belt swings for children with physical disabilities. The rubberized surface is smooth and continuous, allowing wheelchairs and mobility devices to move freely throughout the space.
City Administrator Chris Janssen said the design process included input from local families, therapists, and accessibility consultants. “We wanted to make sure every part of this playground could be used by as many kids as possible,” he said.
The park also includes a walking trail that loops around a small pond, a covered picnic area, and open grass space suitable for family gatherings or small events. Benches and shade structures are placed throughout the site, and the parking area includes designated accessible spots.
For many residents, the opening marks a shift in how Pea Ridge approaches public space. “It’s not just about having a playground,” said Amy Grisham, a parent and special education teacher in the Pea Ridge School District. “It’s about inclusion. It’s about saying that all kids belong here.”
The city plans to host its first community event at the park this fall, though officials have not yet announced a date. In the meantime, the playground is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Carr Street Park adds to a growing list of accessible recreation options in the region. Nearby, the Pea Ridge Community Center has also made efforts to expand inclusive programming, and the city’s master plan calls for continued improvements to parks and trails.
For families in northwest Benton County, the new park represents more than just equipment and amenities. It’s a place where kids can be kids — together.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
