GREENVILLE, S.C. — On Tuesday, the City of Greenville broke ground on its first inclusive playground.

Cleveland Park will be home to “Brooks' Playground”, expected to open in spring 2025.

The 10,640 square foot playground will feature accessible play equipment for children of all abilities ages six months to 13-years-old.

The playground is part of a larger project composed of:

·      Two sand volleyball courts

·      Additional ADA parking

·      A new restroom facility

·      Two new shelters

·      Accessible sidewalk for additional connectivity

Parents Paul and Reagin Foster, first pitched the idea to the city after challenges experienced by their daughter Brooks, who was diagnosed with a rare condition called Pontine Tegmental Cap Dysplasia.

In Oct. 2023, the Foster family donated $809,000 to the project.

According to Reagin Foster, the idea was to develop a place where Brooks could play outside with her siblings and friends.

“A play area with equipment and resources that meet the needs of children with a diverse range of disabilities, both visible and non-visible, and a fun, inclusive, and sensory-rich environment where ALL kids can develop critical physical, social and emotional skills,” wrote Foster.

Friends of Cleveland Park, a non-profit dedicated to protecting and improving the park, is one of the many private entities that also donated to the project. According to non-profit President, Jay Athony, the playground was much needed.

“This means a lot for children like Brooks and other children with special needs. Really right now they don’t have a place to go in Greenville just to be a kid, and they certainly don’t have a place to go where they can play and play with other kids,” said Anthony.

The Foster family’s donation, private donations, and a $2.3 million contribution from the city will fund the $3.6 million project.