The City of Novato’s Pioneer Park has officially reopened with new and improved enhancements designed to foster inclusive play. This eagerly awaited renovation has created a community space for children of all abilities to play together — the first of its kind in Marin!
The park now features two new play structures, thoughtfully designed with adaptive play elements, including:
- ramps and platforms for individuals with mobility limitations;
- rubberized play surfacing;
- an Inclusive Whirl;
- Expression Swings with an adaptive seat;
- a Sensory Wave Rock N Raft;
- umbrellas for shade;
- new benches; and
- perimeter fencing enclosing both play areas.
The City’s Parks & Recreation and Public Works teams have been hard at work transforming this beloved park into a more accessible space for our community. Future plans include additional shade structures and a seating area centrally located between the two play structures. The park also includes installation of the City’s first Picture Exchange Communication System (PEC Board), donated by a local family and designed by Parks and Recreation staff with support from a local speech therapist.
“We are thrilled to announce that construction at Pioneer Park is finally complete. Novato now has two new state-of-the-art accessible playgrounds offering Novato Fun opportunities to children of all abilities,” said Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Katie Gauntlett. “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of our City Council, staff, donors, and our adaptive needs community as well as their families whose invaluable input ensured the playground design incorporated desirable inclusive play amenities.”
In 2019, following Council support, staff secured grant funding through the California Parks and Recreation Society, PlayCore and GameTime to help fund this project. During construction, setbacks due to the pandemic, a fire and a fallen oak tree, led staff to re-evaluate the project. As a result, both play areas underwent a more comprehensive renovation, enabled by a generous discount from GameTime on the second play structure. Allowing the City and community partners, including GameTime representative and Novato resident Leo Seavy, the ability to create a play environment that focuses on both the physical and social aspects of inclusion, earning Pioneer Park a designation as a GameTime “National Demonstration Site”.
Additionally, in true Novato Proud fashion, generous contributions from community members helped bring this project to fruition. Donors include, Hennessy Fund, Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise, the Ncho-Oguie Family, Mitch and Terry Nilsen Family Charitable Fund, the Chaput Family, the Emrey Hughes Family, Project Awareness and Special Sports, and Bank of Marin.
Stay tuned for an official ribbon cutting and grand re-opening celebration at Pioneer Park in Spring 2024. In the meantime, we encourage you to experience these exciting new enhancements for yourself at 1007 Simmons Lane.
Additional information on this project is available at novato.org/pioneerpark.
