Inclusivity playground set to open soon in Gautier

A unique inclusivity playground is set to open soon in Gautier, but this type of playground is far from your typical structure of slides, rock walls and swings.

“An inclusion playground is a playground for all children — no matter what you might have, a disability or anything — to play with other children,” said Casey Vaughan, Mayor of Gautier.

Children of all backgrounds and levels of mobility will soon be able to play together in an interactive, state-of-the-art environment.

The playground is part of the Towne Commons project and is located just feet away from the Sound Amphitheater. It was brought to life through the support of many individuals and is expected to be a game-changer, according to Vaughan.

“We had a private donor reach out to our city manager and partner with us, and we partnered with the state legislature,” Vaughan said. “They saw the need for it here in coastal Mississippi, Gautier, and also in the state, that it would benefit a lot of the residents and it helps create economic development because guests will travel to places that have an inclusion playground for their children”

The theme of the inclusivity playground centers around music. Designs around the park’s structures incorporate music notes, larger-than-life replicas of instruments make up stairs and slides and there are even a few true instruments for park-goers to practice their skills on.

One major centerpiece of the park? It’s life-sized, pink Chevrolet replica.

Vaughan explained that ultimately, the goal of the playground is to make sure that all children have equal opportunities to learn, grow and have fun together.

“It is no child left without being able to play on a playground where all children can play,” Vaughan said.