The World’s First Fully Accessible Water Park Under Construction in San Antonio

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The first ever water park for people with special needs is under construction in San Antonio, TX (68% Latino) and should open in spring of 2017.

Gordon Hartman, CEO of The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, opened Mogran’s Wonderland, an amusement park with special-needs individuals in mind in 2010. Since 2013, he has been working with water park consultants, local doctors, and special-needs therapists on Morgan’s Island Inspiration, the soon-to-be water park with special-needs individuals in mind.

In 2013, Hartman built Toyota Field-an attempt to bring MLS to San Antonio-as well as the South Texas Area Regional Soccer Complex for youth and adult club soccer. He announced plans for the new $9.9 million water park the day after he sold to the City of San Antonio and Bexar County, who would lease the field to Spurs Sports & Entertainment.

“Those without disabilities and those with, including individuals in wheelchairs and guests with hearing and visual impairments, will be able to play alongside each other and gain a greater understanding of each other,” Hartman’s wife Maggie said.

Their daughter Morgan, who has cognitive and physical disabilities, has been their inspiration for both projects.

Physical activity is not merely an issue of recreation. Physical activity is also a public health and social justice issue. There is an urgency in fighting childhood obesity and chronic disease with physical activity.

Accessibility is a major barrier for many kids and families to be physically active, thus a barrier to mental and physical development. All kids deserve safe places to walk, roll, and play.

Admission to Morgan’s Wonderland is free for all children with special needs.

Read a Salud Hero story about Linda Joseph, a special needs teacher in Broward County, Florida, who wanted to make sure her students could swim and weren’t afraid of the water. She values whole-child health and knows that water safety boosts confidence and opens doors to many water-based physical activities and associated mental and physical benefits.