"Field of Dreams" Realized

Taylor's Dream, a Boundless Playground in Indiana, was one of two grand prizewinners in the Synthetic Turf Council's 2011 "Search for the Real Field of Dreams" contest. The Taylor's Dream playground was featured in the Sept. LASN, also on line at www.landscapearchitect.com/research/article/15422

The two grand prize winners of the Synthetic Turf Council's 2011 “Search for the Real Field of Dreams” contest are Taylor's Dream Boundless Playground in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Van Horn High School in Independence, Missouri.

“Our annual contest recognizes synthetic turf athletic fields, parks and playgrounds in the U.S. and Canada that have made an exceptional impact on their local communities,” said Rick Doyle, president of the Synthetic Turf Council. “Their inspirational stories showcase how perseverance can make any dream come true.”

Four years ago, an 11-year-old named Taylor Reuille in Fort Wayne, Indiana realized that kids with disabilities couldn't enjoy nearby playgrounds. She was determined to bring a "boundless playground" to the community, a truly inclusive space where children of all abilities gain the important developmental and physical benefits of unstructured play.

Her dream became a reality when the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department opened Taylor's Dream Boundless Playground in June 2011. The stable synthetic grass is ADA accessible, allowing wheelchairs, braces and other assistive equipment to access the facility easily and safely.

Van Horn High School in Kansas City, Missouri was a failing school with a high dropout rate, low test scores, truancy and a neglected athletic program that hadn't played a home football or soccer game in 37 years. Following an election and a court battle, Van Horn and six other schools were annexed into the Independence, Missouri school district in 2007. After getting the academic programs on track, the system installed a new synthetic turf field. Having a place to play and practice sports has helped grades increase and the school now boasts a 95 percent graduation rate.

“This field is something for the community to rally behind,” said Jason Dial, assistant superintendent of the Independence School District. “Not only can we now host home games, it gives the school a new face and a new culture. It will allow the community to be a part of the school.”