Pinellas County Schools Opens New Sensory Therapeutic Playground

Students, staff and community gathered at Paul B. Stephens Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Center in Clearwater, Florida to cut the ribbon on their new sensory therapeutic playground! The playground took 2 years to complete and was specially designed to support the needs of students and enhance physical health through touch, sound and movement.

The playground, which is the first of its kind in the district, was officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 3. Paul B. Stephens Cheerleaders captured the excitement with an enthusiastic cheer and dance routine.

“Until now, we haven’t had the opportunity for all our students to access a playground,” said Paul B. Stephens Principal Katie Csaszar.

During the ceremony, Superintendent Kevin Hendrick reminded the audience that he has talked a lot about how important the student experience is for children.

"We have to have an experience for our children that makes them want to come to school. And that can be through the arts, that can be through enrichment, and it can certainly be through something like this," he said, gesturing toward the playground.

Two years in the making, the sensory playground lets children of all abilities play with their peers. It was created to serve all children, including those who use wheelchairs, who are visually impaired, who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who have limited verbal communication skills.

“The design challenge was meeting every child’s needs,” said Mary Ellen Barkman, Medicaid Coordinator for Pinellas County Schools.

Therapists, specialists and adaptive PE teachers, who played a role in the playground’s design, will incorporate the playground into the children’s treatment plans.

Second grader Jacob Daysa prefers not to communicate by speaking. He touched an iPad screen to share a recorded message he prepared with Brittany Marucci, a speech and language pathologist.

“I love our new playground because I can do so many things myself,” Jacob shared. “I like the slide, the playhouse and the swing the best.”

Students who use wheelchairs can access much of the equipment by gliding over special turf.

Boards with pictures, similar to those used on campus, help students communicate by pointing to words or pictures.

Equipment called Cozy Cocoons provide a fun way for children to work on balance.

An AeroGlider lets students of all abilities rock back and forth, simulating an amusement park experience.

Textured surfaces and musical devices let children explore varying textures and sounds.

The children have a wonderful time playing, but the specialized equipment accomplishes much more. It empowers them and helps them to work on their balance, mobility, strength and communication skills.

See the Paul B. Stephens Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Facebook.