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20 2025–2030 SCORP SUCCESS STORY Mahoney Park's Play for All Playground Transforms Community Play In northeast Lincoln's Mahoney Park, a bold vision became a reality with the 2025 opening of the city's first Play for All playground. A place where children of all abilities can play, explore, and connect. In 2021, a parent approached Lincoln Parks and Recreation to request the installation of an adaptive swing at Mahoney Park. That simple, personal plea sparked a broader conversation—and ultimately, a citywide transformation. The nearly 34,000-square-foot playground stands as a vibrant symbol of Lincoln's dedication to building spaces where everyone belongs. Recognizing the need to evaluate and improve access in playgrounds, Lincoln Parks and Recreation launched a strategic planning process to expand Play for All playground opportunities across the Lincoln community. A public survey that gathered input from 649 residents was promoted through local media, social media, and outreach to service organizations supporting individuals with disabilities. In October 2021, a 19-member Working Committee was convened, including advocates, family members, city leaders, and representatives from the Lincoln Parks Foundation and City Council. The committee met regularly to analyze survey data, establish community goals, and evaluate design principles for truly accessible outdoor play. Their collaboration led to a Draft Strategy for Outdoor Inclusive Play, posted for public comment and discussed in a virtual open house in early 2022. Feedback from the public directly shaped the final plan, adopted by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in March 2022. Following adoption, a subcommittee met on- site at Mahoney Park to walk through proposed layouts, offer feedback on specific equipment, and ensure the final design met the needs of the families it aimed to serve. The result of this thorough process is the Mahoney Park Play for All Playground— Lincoln's first fully accessible, multi-zoned play area. The playground features accessible surfacing, interactive water table, open green space, musical elements, and imaginative play equipment designed to spark creativity, movement, and connection for people of all ages and abilities. A centralized shade shelter, benches, controlled access, adult exercise equipment, and restrooms with adult-sized changing tables were included to enhance the experience for families and caregivers. Basketball, sand volleyball, tennis and a picnic shelter are all adjacent to the new playground. The project received key funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund ($399,725), the City of Lincoln ($399,725), and the Lincoln Parks Foundation ($275,000), along with grassroots donations raised through lemonade stands and neighborhood giving. The Mahoney Park Play for All Playground shows what's possible when a community listens and works together. They have created a space where every child can play, and every family feels welcome. For more information about the Mahoney Park project contact Lincoln Parks and Recreation, parks@lincoln.ne.gov. Mahoney Park in Lincoln. Lincoln Parks and Recreation NEBRASKA'S OUTDOOR RECREATION PRIORITIES DRAF T