I think Depot Park is a good model for a special needs playground in Marion County

To the Editor:

I agree with providing a safe, friendly, accessible playground for special needs children. I myself am a parent of a 3 and 1/2-year-old special needs little girl.

Some of the parks that we visit do not have accessible climbing structures that my little one can play on. Some stairs and slides are too steep for my little one to climb onto.

Some parks don’t have enough accessible swings, we need more mommy and me swings, bucket seat swings, sensory swings, special needs seats.

If we build it, the park needs to have wide ramps and shaded areas for parents. I travel to Gainesville a lot from Ocala. My favorite park in Gainesville so far is is Depot Park, you can get your ideas from there. If you can, when making the next to the playground, add a splash pad, that would be great.

Ashley Smith
Silver Springs