Summit Orthopedics Supports the East Metro’s First Handicap-Accessible Playground

As the school year ends and summer begins, children look forward to sunny days filled with play and laughter. All children deserve to romp with their siblings and pals, but traditional playground surfaces filled with rocks, sand, and woodchips have excluded children in wheelchairs and those with other mobility and cognitive issues. Those hurdles were removed with the opening of Madison’s Place Playground at the HealthEast Sports Center in Woodbury, Minnesota.

One out of every 10 children has a disability that excludes them from joining their peers to enjoy traditional playgrounds. After Dana Millington’s daughter Madison was born with spinal muscular atrophy, she founded the Madison Claire Foundation with a vision for a playground where all children, including those with physical and developmental disabilities, could play together. In partnership with Summit Orthopedics and other business and community leaders, the foundation raised $830,000 to develop and build Madison’s Place Playground at the HealthEast Sports Center. The ramped play destination is stairs-free and features equipment designed to allow children of all ages and abilities to play together, fostering friendships and learning acceptance.

Summit Orthopedics joined other corporate Gold Sponsors to fund the innovative playground’s wheelchair-friendly rubber surfacing, wheelchair ramp access, and special playground equipment geared to children of all ages and physical abilities. Some of the playground’s special features include:

• A Cozy Dome® and Oodle® Swings designed for children with autism
• A sensory wall with music and custom-designed sensory tunnel
• Double biplanes for kids needing core body support
• A roller slide that doubles as a physical therapy tool
• A SwayFan boat designed for wheelchairs

Madison’s Place Playground opened on June 4, 2016, with a festive picnic celebration featuring dozens of balloons, summery scoops of ice cream, and face-painting activities. Five hundred people came out to enjoy the launch of this cheerful and innovative St. Paul play space. For many children with special needs, this was their first playground experience. Seeing the joy on their faces was the most rewarding aspect of our collaboration, and we invite all Twin Cities families to enjoy this welcoming recreational addition to our community.

Summit Orthopedics supports healthy communities

Community health flourishes when specialized orthopedic care is conveniently available close to home. Summit Orthopedics is proud of our fellowship-trained subspecialty teams offering the full spectrum of orthopedic expertise in bone, tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint conditions—in addition to our wellness, prevention, and rehabilitation services. We have the expertise to proactively improve fitness, evaluate discomfort, and deliver personalized treatment to quickly and safely return you to the lifestyle you love.

Start your journey to a healthier, more active self. Visit our Facebook page to learn about our wellness services and schedule a free wellness consultation online. Find your orthopedic expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a consultation.

Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Plymouth, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as additional community clinics throughout the metro and southern Minnesota.

More resources for you

• Playground Inspections Prevent Injuries

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