Eleven years after its initial conception, a 30,000 square-foot universally accessible playground opened on February 25, 2012, in San Clemente, Calif. Known as Courtney's Sandcastle, the play area is part of a $31.5 million, 45-acre new park installation, and features two bespoke spaces with uniquely themed play components.

After 11 years of extensive planning, the dream of a fully inclusive playground became a reality for one very special girl last year. Courtney's Sandcastle, part of a $31.5 million project at the 45-acre Vista Hermosa Sports Park in San Clemente, Calif., was inspired by Courtney Faye Smith, who is confined to a wheelchair by spinal muscular atrophy, a rare degenerative muscular disease.

When Courtney was five years old, she and her mother Christina visited an inclusive playground in Los Angeles. Everything was accessible via wheelchair: slides with ramps instead of ladders, and swings with large plastic backs to support children with physical, mental and sensory challenges. Outdoor recreational areas that provide stimulation for multiple sensory experiences have proven effective in the healthy growth of children, especially in the case of those with physical and developmental challenges.

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The main structure is a KidBuilders???(R)???AE???? sandcastle-themed structure (Little Tikes Commercial) designed for 5-12 year olds. The ramps lead to a variety of play components, including interactive panels that were specifically designed for wheelchair use. Benches formed to look like boulders (Park Pets & Boulders) were installed around the sandcastle to provide seating.

At the inclusive park in Los Angeles, children of all abilities played together in a space they could enjoy. Finding an accessible playground closer to home for Courtney to play with her friends was a challenge, and led to the vision that became Courtney's Sandcastle.

Design & Installation
Little Tikes Commercial, a leading outdoor play designer, joined with sales representative Pacific Park and Playground (formerly Pacific Design Concepts), to design and manufacture the playground equipment. Their line of castle themed play equipment was a perfect fit for the sandcastle concept designed by Richard Fisher Associates, an experienced landscape architecture firm and designer of many premier parks and playgrounds in Southern California.

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The pirate ship structure, designed for 2-to-12 year-olds, features sails and masts, wood spindle panels, and a nautical steering wheel overlooking the front of the structure, which is made up to look like a seagoing vessel with anchor details in the ship's bow. Talk Tubes encourage social interaction, allowing children to speak to one another from various sections of the play space.

With the help of the San Clemente Junior Woman's Club, the San Clemente Beaches and Parks Foundation, and the City of San Clemente, among others, the design and concept for Courtney's Sandcastle began to come together. Summers/Murphy & Partners completed the design for Phase I, and the framework for the Phase II Sensory Garden. The main play structure is a Little Tikes KidBuilders???(R)???AE???? castle themed structure designed for 5-12 year olds, complete with wide accessible ramps which allow ample space for both wheelchairs and playmates. The second playground, a Pirate Ship themed structure, was designed with 2 to 12 year-old children in mind. The front of the structure offers the distinct look of an authentic ship, down to the anchor details in the ship's bow.

Since its debut, Courtney's Sandcastle has been a favorite spot for local children. Now 16 years old, Courtney said, "This park is truly a dream come true, and I'm forever grateful to everyone who helped make this dream come true!"

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Both play structures feature wide ramps that provide ample space for wheelchairs and playmates. Rubberized safety surfacing in custom blue color patterns (SpectraTurf) was installed to create a moat around the sand castle and ocean waves beneath the pirate ship structure.

Phase Two
Courtney's Sandcastle Charitable Foundation is currently gathering funds to build Phase II of the project, which will be a sensory garden. This phase will include aromatic plants and bushes, a musical pathway, and several interactive water features, giving children additional multi-sensory components to explore. Courtney's vision and hard work not only gave the local children an amazing place to interact together and have fun – she has given them hope. Because of Courtney and her family and friends, children of all walks of life in San Clemente have a place where they can be kids, and a place where they can all do what they do best: play.

To learn more about the Courtney's Sandcastle project, as well as the Courtney's Sandcastle Charitable Foundation, visit courtneyssandcastle.org.