Success Stories

Thanks to volunteer woodworkers from The Kids' Project adaptive equipment program, two playgrounds in Maine will be fun places to play for children with and without disabilities.

"Schools are seeing the need to make their playground an accessible place for all students,” said Jeremy Lucas director of The Kids' Project. “It's a unique opportunity for The Kids’ Project because the piece benefits children of all abilities offering opportunities for exercise and play while promoting social interaction."

Accessible playground equipment was a top priority for the Children’s Center in Augusta, an organization that provides early intervention services.

"Young children with disabilities rarely have access to playgrounds that are safe and fun and built just for them," said Francis Mullin Executive Director of The Children's Center.

Mullin looked to The Kids’ Project for a unique addition to their playground: a boat.

What volunteer woodworker, Matt Hunter of Chelsea, designed and constructed was no common boat. The authentic-looking lobster boat complete with a curved bow, a cabin, sail that can be raised and lowered, wooden trap and buoy, offers a place to play for all children.

"Children who use wheelchairs or walkers can enter the lobster boat through the open transom (back of the boat), which is flush with the playground surface," said Mullin. "The boat is sized to fit preschoolers and has double steering wheels so two friends can take the helm at once.”

According to Lucas, the lobster boat design and construction fit perfectly with Hunter's skills.

"The detail and craftsmanship of the boat represents Matt’s true skills, knowledge and creativity as an experienced woodworker and sailing enthusiast," said Lucas.

In Scarborough, Tom Morgan spent much of the summer working on two accessible playground pieces for the Eight Corners Elementary School. The firetruck and train presented a welcome challenge to volunteer woodworker Tom Morgan.

"There was lots of room for creativity and innovation," said Morgan. "There were no plans, just basic sketches and I had the opportunity to see the equipment in use - kids of all abilities were able to play in the equipment."

"For children with disabilities, accessing the playground is a challenge and sometimes impossible," said Lucas. "The equipment that Matt and Tom constructed can accommodate children in wheelchairs or who have other disabilities and will support the play, socialization, learning and creativity of all children."