Episode 12: The Path to an Accessible Playground

In this episode of Rarely Familiar, Betsy Julian, a teacher from Glen Lake Elementary shares the inspiring story of how a simple idea to add an accessible swing evolved into a massive project to build an inclusive playground. Initially aiming to raise $35,000, the project quickly grew to a $1 million effort, driven by the dedication and thoughtful planning of Betsy's students. The children considered various disabilities and requirements, ensuring the playground would be inclusive for everyone. Their hard work included grassroots fundraising, media involvement, and thoughtful design, resulting in an $860,000 playground that caters to all children, regardless of their physical abilities. The episode highlights the importance of inclusive play and the transformative power of community-driven projects and how we look ahead to changing policy and taking action to ensure every kid has access to an inclusive playspace.  This story gained national media attention from the ⁠CBS Sunday Morning with Steve Hartman⁠ to the⁠ Kelly Clarkson⁠ show.

⁠Link to all info and media for the Glen Lake Accessible Playground Project⁠

Special thanks to:

⁠⁠Eli Brunelle⁠⁠⁠ for Intro and outro Music "New Love"
Todd Piper Hauswirth at⁠ ⁠All-Good⁠⁠ for logo and brand identity