Tri-Cities boy’s dream to play became reality with inclusive ‘Kason’s Korner’ playground
Playgrounds aren’t easy to navigate for children with disabilities, and accessible playgrounds that children with mobility issues can play on are rare.
One Tri-Cities boy living with cerebral palsy has worked hard to change that.
When Kason Creed, now 9, found a playground he could enjoy while at a doctor’s appointment in Spokane, he was determined to find more like it when he got home to Kennewick.
To his disappointment, there weren’t any parks in the Tri-Cities that were truly inclusive. Claybell Park in Richland has some accessible features, but there aren’t swings or other rides Kason can play on in his wheelchair.
He said that while there were ADA features, many weren’t manageable for him or other children.
He began dreaming of a park where children with disabilities could play without needing to have someone picking them up or taking him out of his wheelchair. There wasn’t a single park in the Tri-Cities that had a swing he could use.
After more than a year of work, that dream is now a reality with Kason’s Korner at the Toyota of Tri-Cities Playground of Dreams in Columbia Park.
“I had so much fun on the swings (in Spokane), but when we came back here and found out there were no swings, we sort of (wondered) what do we do now?” Kason said during a Tuesday ribbon-cutting ceremony.
His mother, Andrea Creed, said Kason was determined to make his dream a reality, and convinced his grandmother to start taking him to city council and parks board planning meetings.
“He was 8 at the time, so my mom who was a huge part of that started taking him to (meetings) and we watched him get up and talk, and realized he’s pretty good at this, he knows what he wants,” Creed said.
About 50 people showed up for the official opening of Kason’s Korner, playing on the accessible rides with Kason and congratulating him on his efforts.
The accessible area of the park has a turf ground that is easier for wheelchair users to navigate, as well as new rides such as a We-Go-Round and We-Saw, which are a merry-go-round and see-saw designed to allow wheelchair users to roll right onto the ride. There are also accessible swings that Kason can go right up to and be safely strapped onto, as well as a sensory play center.
Kennewick Parks Director Nick Farline said Kason’s Korner is just the start, and that they hope to continue breaking down barriers for all children in Tri-Cities.
“This isn’t just a normal playground, it’s Kason’s Korner. This is a place where all kids no matter their abilities can have a blast together,” Farline said. “Kason and kids with disabilities aren’t asking for anything crazy, they’re just asking for a place to play with all their friends.”
Andrea Creed said it was amazing watching her son’s journey to helping make the park a reality.
“It’s incredible to see the amount of people who showed up for his cause and the amount of support he has,” she said.
“Coming home, it was a huge disappointment not being able to take him somewhere like this. Now look at him, he’s so happy.”
The Toyota of Tri-Cities Playground of Dreams and Kason’s Korner is at the east end of Columbia Park in Kennewick near the fishing pond.
This story was originally published November 7, 2023 at 4:32 PM.
