City Priorities
Celebrating a Space for Everyone
The City of Irvine furthered its commitment to inclusion with the opening of its first universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park last fall. Wheelchair accessible with multigenerational play components to support usage by those with disabilities, as well as their parents and caregivers, the universal playground truly embodies its theme — “A Space for Everyone.” The City conducted extensive public outreach to help shape the design of the playground, which features an outer space theme and includes adaptive swings; a Bankshot Basketball court with creatively angled, curved, and uniquely configured basketball backboards; a sensory garden; and an adjacent restroom with an adult changing area.
Sweet Shade Universal Playground is a vibrant reflection of the City’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring all residents have access to equitable services and opportunities. Funding for this innovative space was largely secured by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, who helped deliver $2.8 million in state funding for the project. Sweet Shade is a 7.9-acre public neighborhood park and home to Sweet Shade Ability Center, where the City's Disability Services program provides activities for individuals with sensory, physical, or cognitive disabilities, and their family members. The creation of the City's first universal playground complements the Ability Center and expands inclusive recreational opportunities for all Irvine residents. Irvine's Disability Services program offers a variety of activities throughout the year, including an after-school
inclusion club, yoga, adaptive dance, early childhood classes, and gardening classes. There are also social programs such as movie and game nights, dances, and a Friday Night Social Club. Visit cityofirvine.org/ds to learn more about the programs and activities offered, or visit Sweet Shade Ability Center, where staff is available during regular hours to meet with the public about activities and services. To learn more about Sweet Shade Universal Playground, visit cityofirvine.org/universalplayground .
View photos of the playground ribbon cutting attended by local leaders, community members, and members of the Irvine Eagles Special Olympics Basketball Team, which provided a demonstration of the adaptive basketball court.
4
Inside Irvine
Spring 2025
To view Inside Irvine online, please visit cityofirvine.org/insideirvine
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs