Differences aren't deficits
Formed by OHIO alumni, the Alexander Inclusive Playground project aims to create accessible environments, nurturing everyone's unique potential.
Jack Rohrer, MSJ '26 | December 11, 2024
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It started one day after school. Lisa Wigal’s (BSHCS ‘04) daughter, Emma, had a hard day.
“Emma said ‘Mom, I feel so alone at recess. I can’t play with my friends because I’m in my wheelchair and I can’t get on the playground to be with them’,” Wigal said. “That’s hard to hear as a mother.”
This moment inspired Wigal to begin a project that would eventually bring together OHIO alumni, community members and school professionals to improve the lives of local children. The group is working together to build an inclusive playground at Alexander Elementary School in Albany, 15 minutes from OHIO’s Athens campus. The school has the biggest and most-used playground in Athens County.
Project co-founder Lisa Wigal with her daughter, Emma.
Wigal had first approached the school in 2019 about purchasing an adaptive swing for the preschool playground, which they did; the adaptive swing provided hours of recess fun for Emma and her playmates throughout preschool.
In March of 2022, Wigal began planning even more upgrades for the other playground spaces, including writing and receiving a grant from Aladdin Shriners Hospital Association for Children for a few pieces of inclusive playground equipment. At the time, the school wasn’t in a position to be able to accept the grant funds. However, in spring of 2024, Wigal wrote another grant and received $26,000 from Aladdin Shriners. Those funds were used to purchase some of the equipment for the brand-new inclusive playground.
Meanwhile, Annah Korpi (MS, '14) was forming a similar plan. Like Wigal, she also felt the playground wasn’t accessible to all students; her son, Isidoro, has cerebral palsy and is nonverbal. As they developed their plans, both Korpi and Wigal had been in touch with Alexander Elementary Vice Principal Rich Maskiell (BSED ‘04, MED ‘12), and Maskiell connected the two in spring of 2022.
Project co-founder Annah Korpi (left), and her son, Isidoro. Katie Gardner (right) is an Ohio alumna (BA '19, MA '21), designer and committee member; she designed the project logo.
“There are so many parents that bring up similar ideas to schools, and get rejected,” Korpi said. “I think the fact we broke through that initial barrier is a testament to Rich saying, ‘Let’s start a committee,' and our freedom to pursue the project.
From a planted seed to approval
Comprised of teachers (primarily individuals with special education backgrounds), therapists and community members recruited by Maskiell, the committee began meeting in June 2022. Many of the committee members are OHIO alumni, including Alexander Elementary’s principal Abby Rouse (BSED ‘04, MED ‘11) and district superintendent Will Hampton Jr. (AB ‘91).
“When you really look at it, there are a lot of barriers in a common playground," Hampton said. "Those two work so well together; my goal is to stay out of their way, helping in any way I can."
The committee met regularly, conducted focus groups to get student, parent, teacher and community feedback, and put together a proposal for the school board, which they presented in March 2023.
The idea was approved.
“I’d like to think I planted a seed, and now here we are,” Wigal said.
The full project and fundraising efforts launched that September. The mission to implement an inclusive playground at Alexander Elementary was officially a go.
Every student deserves a welcoming, accessible environment that nurtures their unique potential; the Alexander Inclusive Playground Project does just that.
“It’s a commitment to opportunity for everyone, and demonstrates the ways differences are not deficits, but strengths that enrich the entire community,” said Danielle Feeney, assistant professor in the Patton College of Education. “Every student deserves a welcoming, accessible environment that nurtures their unique potential; the Alexander Inclusive Playground project does just that.”
The efforts were far from over. The team ramped things up, getting the word out, applying for grants, and networking. With the help of designers and significant grants from the Athens Rotary Foundation and the Athens County Foundation, the committee created a Facebook page, a website and pamphlets. These efforts significantly helped the project pick up steam.
The power of a story
Korpi credits Ohio University for the storytelling skills she acquired during her time in the Scripps College of Communication, where she obtained her master’s degree in journalism.
“I think because we took a storytelling approach to the project, that helped us gain momentum,” Korpi said. “Since gaining those skills at Ohio University, I’ve learned you can apply them anywhere.”
Donations allowed the planners to move forward. They eventually landed on the idea of a phased approach. Phases one and two would focus on the grades 1-5 play area, while the final phase would focus on the preschool and kindergarten play space.
The completed first phase of the Alexander Elementary Inclusive Playground project
An activity panel introducing children to braille
The first phase was completed summer 2024, with ramps for easy access to the main play structure, unitary surfacing, activity panels to introduce students to braille and more. The next phase of the project will be installed summer 2025. The final phase will be built once the team is able to raise the remaining $200,000 they need for the youngest play area. The entire project is projected to cost $1 million; the group has raised $800,000 of that.
Wigal and Korpi see this project as a benefit to the entire Athens community, not just the schools themselves.
“I see a lot of Facebook posts, and I see a lot of people already using the space for parties and kids playing on the playground,” Wigal said. “Perfect place for kids, families and friends to hang out; the space includes everyone.”
Similar projects are in the works across the region; Stroud’s Run State Park is slated to include an inclusive playground of its own. Richland Avenue Park also upgraded a section of their playground earlier this fall to be more inclusive.