[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 94 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3928-S3929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE TEDDY & FRIENDS INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND

 Mr. SCHMITT. Madam President, I rise today to recognize the 
new welcoming gathering place the Teddy &

[[Page S3929]]

Friends Inclusive Playground at Queeny Park has been for the community 
in St. Louis County.
  Playgrounds should be fun places where children of all abilities can 
safety play and exercise their creativity and independence. A local 
nonprofit called Unlimited Play realized the need for inclusive and 
accessible playgrounds for children with a range of special needs. As a 
result, multiple families in the St. Louis area collaborated to design 
a playground that would accommodate children of all abilities. Some of 
the features of this new park include shorter steps for safety, 
accessible surfacing, wheelchair accessibility to the top of 
structures, fencing, zip lines, and more enclosed areas for safety.
  This initiative has inspired other improvements throughout Queeny 
Park, such as updating outdated infrastructure, building more 
accessible bathrooms, and adding new walkways. It is important that 
playgrounds are accessible to all children, encourage play, and bring 
families and communities together. I hope the Teddy & Friends Inclusive 
Playground in Queeny Park will be a vibrant center that brings the 
people of St. Louis County together, as well as model for other parks 
nationwide.

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