Donation Will Help Improve Playground Spatial Needs for Children with Autism

ST. LOUIS – Davis Street Land Company donated $10,000 on June 25 to help make improvements to a playground in Lake Saint Louis, Mo. designed to eliminate barriers to children with developmental or physical disabilities. The creative layout and plaayground equipment at Zachary’s Playground is designed for children of all abilities. The donation from Davis Street, which is developing the nearby The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis lifestyle center, will be used to improve spatial experiences at the playground for children with autism.

Located on Ridgeway Drive in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., Zachary’s Playground debuted in 2007 and was named for Zachary Blakemore – a seven-year-old child with a rare central nervous system disorder that makes it difficult to control his body movements. Tired of encountering playgrounds that emphasized their son’s limitations, Zachary’s parents, Natalie and Todd, started Unlimited Play, a local, non-profit organization, with the help of speech therapist Karen Romstead-Eoff to build an inclusive playground for children of all abilities.

“The first time Zachary went to a playground he couldn’t even sit on a toddler swing,” Blakemore said. “Now, Zachary’s almost eight and we visit the park all the time. On sunny days, visitors’ cars are lined up and down the street. It’s become a playground that eliminates barriers that contribute to social isolation among children with physical and developmental disabilities. Seeing kids of all skill levels play together makes my heart smile.”

Davis Street’s donation will allow the Unlimited Play to expand a fence around the playground to provide more room for all children, but especially those with autism. “We needed to enlarge a play area to accommodate sensory and motor skill needs of children with autism,” said Blakemore. “Davis Street has embraced our vision of encouraging children to interact through play, regardless of their limitations.”

“As we are developing The Meadows, we also want to be engaged in the community,” said Dave Freeburg, general manager of Davis Street Land Co. in St. Louis. “What better way than supporting a concept that creatively connects children of all abilities?”

The playground features a variety of imaginative play equipment that makes it possible for kids of all ages and skill levels to play together in a safe and fun environment, including: