Julie’s Jungle is the first fully accessible playground built in Dutchess County, NY. It was built for all children of all abilities to play and learn together.
It boasts a 16,000 sq. ft. accessible playground and a 5,500 sq. ft. accessible serenity garden. A public park, free of charge, open daily from dawn to dusk.
Julie’s Jungle was built entirely by volunteers and generous community members through donations, grants, and fundraising. Fundraising efforts continue today and provide the ability to enhance both the playground equipment and garden.
Access to Julie’s Jungle will help give all children the opportunity to participate in outdoor physical activities from which they would otherwise be excluded. There are more than 2,500 children with disabilities recorded in Dutchess County, yet there are no accessible playgrounds for them to play. Inclusive play provides children – especially those who are often segregated from their peers – a chance to improve their social skills by playing with others. The obvious outcome is their enthusiastic participation in outdoor play. The more subtle, but no less important, outcome is the increased self-confidence that results from participating alongside their able-bodied peers.
Julie’s Jungle addresses the needs of all children, those who are able-bodied and those with visual, hearing, cognitive, or physical impairments.
View Julie’s Jungle Playground Details