Bear Branch is home to The Woodlands’ only playground designed with children with disabilities in mind, and the site is undergoing a $831,000 improvement this fall that officials said will expand options for children with special needs.
The playground was originally opened in 2001, said Chris Nunes, the township’s director of parks and recreation. As the township’s only inclusive playground, which offers facilities for children with sensory processing issues, physical disabilities and other needs, this will include items to improve their experience, he said at a July 28 meeting.
“The project goals ... are geared toward inclusive play [and] trying to identify a play environment used by children in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities,” Nunes said.
Contractor Lonestar Recreation will perform the work, which includes eight new ground-level play elements that are accessible by wheelchair transfer as well as an accessible merry-go-round that does not require wheelchair transfer to use. The updates also include sensory elements for children with autism and other needs. They engage children with tactile and vestibular play as well as audio and video elements and include items such as a chimney climb and a wiggle ladder, according to township officials.
