New Buffalo Welcome Center "Able to Play" Playground - New Buffalo, MI
N 41° 45.926 W 086° 44.469
16T E 521515 N 4623765
An "Able to Play" Playground is located at the New Buffalo Welcome Center along I-94 in New Buffalo, Michigan, USA.
Waymark Code: WM8A8M
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 02/27/2010
Views: 5
The following information about this handicapped accessible playground is from the
Michigan.gov website:
June 9, 2005--Barrier-free play areas will be added to the New Buffalo and Monroe Welcome Centers, thanks to a Kellogg Foundation grant and a partnership among the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG), and Travel Michigan.
The play areas will be accessible to children of all abilities and represent Michigan's long-standing commitment to accessibility, diversity, and families. Michigan was the first state to pass a Barrier Free Design Act, the first to mandate universal "curb cuts" to accommodate wheelchairs in road and street design, and the first to include disabilities within its Civil Rights act.
"Michigan is opening its arms to visitors and the laughter of children," said Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm. "We're proud to continue Michigan's leadership role in the accessibility movement and we're pleased that this collaboration has cut through red tape, so that two of our most heavily visited Welcome Centers will let everyone know that Michigan is indeed a great place to live, work and play."
MDOT Chief Deputy Director Kirk Steudle said that MDOT had signed a memo of understanding with the Kellogg Foundation and was working through project details so that construction can begin as soon as possible.
"The 'Able to Play' project represents a commitment to access and equality, and we are grateful for the support and partnership of the Kellogg Foundation which allows the playgrounds to be built at no cost to the state of Michigan," said Steudle. "These barrier-free play areas will encourage children with disabilities to play with other children in a fun and safe setting, and they will make Michigan an even more attractive travel destination."
The New Buffalo and Monroe Welcome Centers attract approximately one million visitors every year. MDOT maintains 13 Welcome Centers on major highways to greet visitors as they drive through Michigan. Welcome Centers are operated by Travel Michigan for MDOT. If successful, the 'Able to Play' project may be expanded to include playgrounds at other Welcome Centers.