GameTime works with community champions who are passionate about outdoor recreation. One such champion is Damian Buchman of The Ability Center in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. Damian is a childhood cancer survivor who often uses a wheelchair for mobility, but his passion for inclusive recreation is mobilizing change.
His latest project is Moss Universal Park in Milwaukee. Working with GameTime, city officials, and landscape architects, he's developed a master plan to redesign the 18-acre space into a model for inclusive recreation. We caught up with him at the groundbreaking of the project. He shared his vision for a park that celebrates people of all abilities and discussed how the partnership with GameTime is essential for success.

What are we doing today in Milwaukee?

Today, we're ceremoniously breaking ground on America's first universally inclusive park - not just a playground, but an entire park. On this 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I can't think of a better way to recognize and celebrate a monumental piece of legislation with a catalytic project that promises to transform how cities, counties, and states across America develop and design parks. Having the first in my community in partnership with Milwaukee County Parks and GameTime is an absolute honor.

 
What is a universally inclusive park and how is it different from
other parks that are accessible?

Traditionally, the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, speaks to "access," but not opportunity. "Universally inclusive" means we first consider the vast array of human abilities of the people who will use the park, and then we will design ALL elements, places, and spaces, to include ALL the abilities. We aren't designing for "most"- we must do our best to support everyBODY. That's what Moss Universal Park will do. It will include ALL, from the playground to the fitness areas, athletic fields to a sensory and mental health space, universal clubhouse to inclusive woods. Moss Universal Park will accommodate all abilities, all ages, and all families. We looked at every aspect of the park and designed ways to ensure everyone is included.

Why is transforming this park
into a Universal Park necessary?

Because everybody deserves to play everywhere. If play is not limited for an able-bodied child, it should not be limited for a child with a disability. I was sidelined by childhood cancer when I was thirteen. Acquiring an ambulatory disability didn't mean I couldn't play, but spaces, places, and games weren't designed for me. Let's be honest. Most "inclusive" spaces lack adventure and a sense of healthy risk-taking.
Inclusion is not spatial. It should not be limited to one opportunity because a disability is often defined by poor design. When we design for universal access, we design for the whole. In southeastern Wisconsin alone, 190,000 people live with a disability, including 23,000 youth. That's tens of thousands of people who lack the opportunity for equitable play!
With this stark reality in mind, The Ability Center, Milwaukee County Parks, and GameTime are partnering to create equitable opportunities for people of all abilities to be fit, active, healthy, and play-TOGETHER.

It's fair to say this is a passion
project for you and your team.
How does this compare to other projects you've worked on?

The Ability Center has been proud to create many universally inclusive 'firsts' for our Milwaukee County community - we have partnered with the County to increase universal inclusivity at our local beaches and parks - creating opportunities for everybody to play together, regardless of ability. Moss Universal Park will amplify each of those efforts, making a universally inclusive 18-acre park filled with recreation opportunities - a fitting way to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.