Bellingham Celebrates Inclusive Playground Opening

The new Our PlayAbility Playground at Stall Brook Elementary School in Bellingham has officially opened. It offers an inclusive play space that's designed to serve children of all abilities. 

Community members, local leaders, and project supporters celebrated the playground's grand opening on Friday, Sept. 12. Attendees included Jerome Smith of Amazon, along with state Rep. Mike Soter, School Committee Chair Mike Reed, special education teacher Hallie Glassman, and Bellingham police officer Manny Toscano. 

Glassman initiated the project, starting with the goal of supporting a single student at Stall Brook Elementary School. Her idea grew into a community-wide initiative through Toscano's assistance raising funds and community awareness about the playground.

Amazon provided a $100,000 grant for the project,  which played a crucial role in financing the playground's construction.

The new playground addresses regional accessibility challenges, since many playgrounds in the area are inaccessible to children with mobility limitations. The Our PlayAbility Playground features accessible surfaces, wheelchair ramps, sensory panels, and communication boards, enabling children with diverse developmental and physical needs to play together.

“This is about more than just a playground,” Glassman said in a statement shared with the Franklin Observer. “It's about inclusion, dignity, and ensuring every child gets the chance to be part of the community.”