Sept 21, 2009: Clemyjontri Park

[xoxoxoBruce]

Down in Fairfax County Virginia, they have a big playground called Clemyjontri Park.
What makes it special is, handicapped kids can use it right along side all the other kids.

To the casual observer, the playground at Clemyjontri Park looks like an ordinary playground, with swings, slides and play equipment fun to climb on, under and around. A closer look will reveal that some of those swings have high backs for children who need extra support. Instead of standard transfer platforms there are ramps to the elevated play components. Pathways between equipment are wide and colorful, and the ground surfaces are non-slip and porous designed to provide a greater level of access for children.

The park is named for Adele Lebowitz’s (a major donor) four children: Carolyn (CL), Emily (EMY), John (Jon), and Petrina (Tri). Mrs. Lebowitz and her husband were also sponsors of a local children’s television show, The Pick Temple Show, in the 1950s. The star of that show, a clown named Bozo, was played by Willard Scott. Bozo, as you might know, would later morph into Ronald McDonald.

I don't know who originated the idea, but Lebowitz put up the big bucks... good for her.

I'm not buying Bozo morphed into Ronald, though.

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