WAUWATOSA, Wis. — Milwaukee County Parks will break ground on the Moss Universal Park on Wednesday. The $10 million project will transform Wisconsin Avenue Park into an 18-acre universally inclusive park.
The park will feature recreational areas and amenities for people of ages and abilities. Right now, the park master plan highlights baseball fields, fitness areas, play areas, therapy and rehabilitation areas, challenge courses and spots for picnics.
Moss Universal Park will have multiple baseball fields for Little Leagues and high schoolers, but the park will also be home to Miracle League. Miracle League is a softball team for kids in wheelchairs, kids who have amputations and those with other disabilities. Universal Field will be the nation’s first all inclusive baseball field, according to The Ability Center.
TAC is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit that works to create "universal, inclusive and adaptive sports, fitness and recreation oppurtunities." TAC is one of the park project leaders.
The park will feature quiet areas, too, that are away from the playground areas. These areas aim to create spaces for people to take care of their mental health. TAC said 33% of those with disabilities report periods of depression; only 14% of their peers without disabilities reported periods of depression.
Fitness areas will be built in throughout an accessible path. TAC explained the park, and its fitness areas, is important, as about 47% of adults with a disability said they did not engage in aerobic activity. TAC said 54% of those with disabilities do not get lesisure-time physical activity at all; that number rises in the winter. Obesity rates in those with disabilities are 57% higher than their able-bodied peers.
The park will also offer seasonally adaptive equipment rentals such as bikes, trail chairs and cross country skis. TAC said these rentals will be free.
The park is located in Wauwatosa, Wis. It will be completed in two phases. The park clubhouse, playground, baseball fields and parking lot are expected to be complete by summer 2024. The park clubhouse will include accessible restrooms and a sensory room.
The full park redevelopment is scheduled to be complete by summer 2025.
According to TAC, there are 190,000 people living with a disability in southeast Wisconsin. TAC said 4.3% of kids in southeast Wisconsin reported having a disability — that’s 23,000 kids.
An estimated two out of seven families are impacted by disabilities.
Even though Milwaukee County has 15,000 acres of parks, there are no universally inclusive parks right now. The new park will be available for everyone to use, and not just those with disabilities.
“When a space accommodates a wheelchair, it also works for a parent pushing a stroller, or families bringing a cooler for their picnic,” TAC said. “Universal means everyone can benefit and participate.
As of July 2023, TAC said it has raised about 40% of the funding needed for the park.
Wednesday’s groundbreaking will coincide with the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Wauwatosa also recognized ADA’s passing anniversary earlier this week. On Monday, for the first time in history, the Disability Flag was raised on Wauwatosa City Hall’s flagpole. The flag is being flown through July 28.
To learn more about "America's most inclusive park," click here.
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