Hope for Hall dedicated its second inclusive playground at Sandra Dunagan Deal Elementary School Friday afternoon.
Hall County School officials, playground sponsors, and former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal gathered to celebrate the occassion. Caroline Filchak, the organization’s founder, shared her excitement for the new facility.
“We've observed with our own eyes and heard with our own ears from teachers, parents of typical children, and parents with children who have disabilities that there is an urgent need for inclusive playgrounds here in Hall County schools,” she said. “We believe inclusive playgrounds should be the new normal standard for any new elementary school and new playgrounds, and we're delighted that we have been able to play a small part of the solution.”
Hope for Hall’s first playground opened at Wauka Mountain Elementary School in early 2024. The playground at SDDES features a pour-in-in place rubber surface best suited for mobility aids, an inclusive zipline and a metal roller slide piece donated by Norfolk Southern. The playground also includes educational components, such as a communication board and panels with the American Sign Language alphabet.
“We thank you for sharing the mindset that the playground is an extension of the classroom and that it should be a learning opportunity for all kids to be able to participate,” Filchak said. “We look forward to seeing many more inclusive playgrounds throughout the district.”
