Special needs playground project in Arnold moving along

Plans are moving forward for an accessible playground geared toward children with disabilities in the New Kensington-Arnold area, said Devin Moore, the man behind the project.

Moore, an Arnold resident, pitched his plan this summer. He says a playground could include handicapped-accessible swings or sensory panels, and estimates the cost of a park layout at $62,000. If a nearby structure was built to hold other events, like classes, the cost would increase to about $120,000.

“We’re trying to create an area where the community can come together and this area can get a lot of use of it,” he said. “Kids like to be represented. They like to shine their light.”

He said he has established a team of people and a grant writer to help move the project forward.

Moore is pitching the plan because he says there is a lack of activities and play areas for children with special needs.

“I have an autistic daughter and a special-needs daughter, so I see restrictions,” he said. “There’s nothing for them.”

Close to 30% of students in the New Kensington-Arnold School District receive special education services, according to the state’s Department of Education.

Moore says he is also working on hosting a fall festival geared toward children with special needs at the old tee-ball field in Arnold, at Third Avenue and Drey Street, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25. That could feature vendors and games, he said.

“You have to understand the different spectrums of autism. You can’t have loud music and stuff like that,” he said. “You have to take in all components of autism and make it accessible for everybody, and make it fun for everybody.”

That area could potentially be a space for Moore’s vision of an accessible playground and park, he said.

Arnold Councilman Aaron Moore, who is Devin’s cousin, said he is supportive of the project. Councilman Moore is director of parks and public buildings in Arnold.

“Anything we can do in our community for kids with autism in our area, it will always be a good idea,” Aaron Moore said.