A new all-inclusive playground is now one of the crowning gems of one of Mexico’s most storied parks, and with it, area youth have a place where everyone can play.

A ribbon cutting ushered in the new-and-improved Plunkett Park Playground Tuesday evening. Chad Shoemaker, director of Mexico Parks and Recreation, welcomed those in attendance and provided a project overview. Also speaking was Mexico mayor, Dr. Ayanna Shivers; and Tim Crews, executive director of Audrain Developmental Disability Services (ADDS).

The park is designed to ensure anyone and everyone can enjoy its offerings, from a child with a disability, to a grandparent with limited mobility.

“It’s really designed around everyone being able to play together,” said Shoemaker.

The project held a special place in the hearts of people like Shoemaker, Shivers, and Crews, as they grew up using the park. Today, they are proud of its bright present and future.

“I played a lot of basketball at that park,” Shoemaker said in an interview after the event. “That was one of my go-to’s.”

With the improvements, he adds that “just seeing kids play” is one of the most gratifying rewards.

Audrain Developmental Disability Services contributed $100,000 to the project, enabling construction of the rubber tile and artificial turf fall surfacing.

“Thank you for your contribution,” said Mayor Shivers during the event, “and for partnering with the city to make this happen.”

In all, the project will cost about $195,000, resulting in what officials are calling “the most universally accessible playground in the City of Mexico park system.”

“I’m just thrilled,” said Crews of the improvements, calling them “the next generation of fun stuff.”

Joining officials were special guests Heather Cope and son, Dominic. Two-year-old Dominic has cerebral palsy and walks with a walker. The two had previously visited the playground and returned for the event. Heather provided her endorsement.

“It’s great to see a community trying to include everyone,” she said.

Heather and Dominic are also fans of Lakeview Park, but as he’s grown, he’s become too top-heavy for the ‘mommy-and-me’ swing there.

“The one at Plunkett is perfect,” she said, adding they will utilize Plunkett more in the future.

So what makes the park so ‘all-inclusive’?

Plenty.

Designed by Miracle Recreation in Monett, the features go above and beyond typical ADA-compliance. There are wheelchair-accessible play features like a rocker and spinner; protective rubber tile and artificial turf fall surfacing helps reduce injuries; a double-decker play tower includes a two-story slide; and a play mound with artificial turf and surfacing are all sure to be popular with kids and parents alike. Safety is additionally enhanced by antimicrobial coating on play surfaces and partial fencing that creates a safe zone, allowing children to play freely. A wide range of officials and citizens provided input during planning, including The Children's Therapy School in Mexico.

Even during the ceremony, the park bustled with activity from area children taking full advantage of the park’s offerings.

Some Park History

The seeds of Plunkett Park were planted when the Mexico School Board sold 50 acres of adjacent ground to the City of Mexico for $50, with a vision of converting the ground into a recreational area. That property would become Plunkett Park. Several improvements were made over the years, including a lake, tennis courts, swimming pool and shelter house. Since the park’s inception, community support from businesses, individuals and civic clubs has played a major role in its development. Mr. and Mrs. E.O. Lawrence donated $7,500 to help build a shelter, still known as Lawrence Shelter; the Kiwanis Club built a fishing lake; and in 1949, the Green Company donated a tennis court.

Other businesses contributing to the cause were AP Green and Mexico refractories, who donated over 50 percent of the cost of a park pool, dedicated in 1959. Community members, businesses and civic clubs helped by contributing the needed balance.

Today, Plunkett Park is an 84-acre park located on Curtis and Park Road, Wade and Hendricks Streets, bordering Mexico High School. In addition to the new all-inclusive playground, Plunkett Park’s features include a skate park, shelters, restrooms, paved parking, volleyball, fishing, walking trail and rustic camp sites for Scout troops.

More about Mexico’s Parks

The Mexico Parks and Recreation Department park system is comprised of 14 parks totaling over 450 acres that provides recreational facilities offering something for the young and old.