Signal Mountain Inclusive Playground Proposed

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new inclusive playground could soon become a reality thanks to a proposed $210,516 investment from Hamilton County. 

If approved by the Hamilton County Commission, the funding would help purchase inclusive play equipment for the Dahlia Playground at Althaus Park on Signal Mountain.

The idea for the playground began after Emily Harmon worked with Hamilton County to make Thrasher Playground handicap accessible. 

During that process, Signal Mountain’s mayor suggested building an entirely new playground designed with accessibility in mind.

“Ok, we have to get this playground handicap accessible so we did and in the middle of that the mayor of signal Mountain called me and said why don’t we just build a playground and I was like ok so that’s kind of what inspired the Dahlia playground just watching Dollie I mean it’s really hard for kids in wheelchairs to play outside. They get left behind they get left out,” Harmon said.

The project is deeply personal for Harmon. Her daughter, Dahlia, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, inspired the playground after sharing that she couldn’t fully participate with her friends at recess.

“To know that your child is being left out or left behind or not getting invited to things I mean, devastation is not even doesn’t even touch the feeling that it gives you just stress, anxiety, devastation, but more than that. It was just like I have to change this. I will change this,” Harmon said.

She said the finished playground will give children who use wheelchairs the opportunity to play alongside their friends without needing someone else’s help.

“She doesn’t know what it feels like to play on a playground with her friends without stopping and asking someone to pick her up or help her get from point A to point B and so she is going to have the complete feeling of independence which she’s never had before at this playground,” Harmon said.

If approved, the Dahlia Playground would become Hamilton County’s second county-supported inclusive playground. Harmon hopes the project inspires more communities to make inclusive playgrounds the standard.

“My hope is that inclusive playgrounds are just the norm from here on out right every time we build a new playground that it’s just inclusive. I think that Hamilton County making this investment is showing them as a leader in this movement and I really do think that this will continue to just spread,” Harmon said.

The Hamilton County Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed funding August 5. If approved, construction is expected to begin later this year.