The waiting seemed eternity, but it’s kind of magic now New Zealand’s first fully accessible playground is open in Hamilton.
The Magical Bridge Playground at Claudelands Park, built in collaboration with Hamilton City Council and Magical Bridge Trust, has been in the works since 2021 and was designed to include everyone, no matter their age or ability.
The trust was started by passionate members of the disability community who were on a mission to create a fully inclusive playground that removed barriers for individuals and families with physical or neurological disabilities.
Trust chairman Peter van Vroonhoven said the new playground was giving everyone the chance to play.
“One in four New Zealanders have a disability of some kind, but only 10 per cent of those have visible disabilities. We wanted to create a playground that includes everyone – wheelchair users, those with hearing and vision impairments, the neuro-diverse community, and more.”