COLERIDGE, Neb. - A new playground is now open in a small northeast Nebraska town offering children of all abilities the opportunity to play together.

The Coleridge Area Fund, with the help of local volunteers and grants, spearheaded the project, which began back in 2021. The group originally planned for a typical playground but soon realized that securing funding for a standard design would be challenging. They pivoted to an ADA-compliant playground, ensuring it would be accessible for children with disabilities. One volunteer said the project held special importance to her.

"This is very near and dear to my heart because I had a child with a disability and I knew what it was like for those kids to sit there and watch the other kids play and not be able to participate," Carol Milander said. "So our playground is filled with all kinds of activities that lots of kids will be able to do together."

The $400,000 project features a soft, wheelchair-friendly surface and various play structures including a zero-entry merry-go-round. About half of the funding was raised locally, with the remainder coming from grants. The playground is not only for children but is also designed to be accessible for older adults with joint or mobility issues.