Join us on July 17 for A WALK IN THE PARK with Marissa BODE
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When Damian Buchman was a child, he was sidelined by cancer in both legs. Today, he’s on a mission to ensure that everyBODY has the chance to play together.
Old and young. People of all abilities. Families. Patients in rehab. EveryBODY. Because a park is so much more than a playground. And you have the chance to BE FIRST.
A play and recreation space for people of all ages and abilities.
A play and recreation space for people of all ages and abilities.
Moss Universal Park goes beyond the playground, beyond compliance, & deploys true inclusion. This is a project that mirrors its name — 18 acres of universal inclusion where everyBODY will be empowered to play together!.
All people deserve a place to play regardless of age. Universal Park will have fitness and therapy equipment to facilitate recreation and rehab for children, young adults, adults, Veterans, and the elderly.
Physical inactivity increases the severity of many chronic diseases and is the underlying cause of over 10% of deaths in the US.
Alice is as adorable, active, funny and smart as any three-year old you’re likely to meet. To the people who know and love her, Alice is an unstoppABLE force. Her older brother is typically abled. Alice uses a wheelchair. There are plenty of playgrounds where Alice lives, but only two are considered accessible. They’re better than nothing, but they’re designed for kids like Alice, not her brother. He gets bored or doesn’t want to go. There’s not much Alice can do at the other playgrounds, so sometimes she gets left behind. Alice belongs everywhere just like everyone else, but that’s not the world she’s growing up in. She deserves better.
Our friend Deb is an amputee. Her granddaughter is typically abled. When Deb takes her to most playgrounds, they can’t play together. Deb can’t “get in the giggles” as she likes to say. Worse, she can’t let her granddaughter explore the rest of the park, because Deb can’t explore the rest of the park.
Deb deserves better than this, and so does her granddaughter. They deserve to explore together.
Uncle Andy is 42 years old. He loves to play with his young nieces, and he loves parks. Because people often misunderstand intellectual disabilities, Andy hasn’t always felt welcome to explore and enjoy playgrounds. At Moss Universal Park, Andy wouldn’t be “different.” He would be welcomed to play with his nieces and other people who love playgrounds. He would belong.
All ages. All abilities. All the time. A universally accessible park that delivers wellness, recreation, and play for everyBODY in our community.
The name says it all, Moss Universal PARK – It goes beyond the playground, holistically including ALL abilities throughout the entirety (in this case, 18 acres) of the park’s borders. From ball fields to bathrooms, playgrounds to picnics, fitness to forestry – everything will be universally inclusive.
We believe (and we hope you agree) that children, parents, and grandparents of all abilities should be included beyond the playground – that their abilities should not limit their opportunities to play with the people they love most. We also believe that the play of able-bodied siblings, parents, or caretakers should not have to be shaped by their loved ones inability to go beyond a playground. In short, it’s not disABILITY that is the problem, it’s design, and George F. Moss Universal Park is a solution to include
Wisconsin Avenue Park has been chosen as the location for the George F. Moss Universal Park because it is perfectly positioned to best serve those impacted by disabilities in greater Milwaukee. It’s location at 10300 W. Wisconsin Avenue is primed for our target population with its proximity to: Children’s Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial & Rehabilitation Hospitals, St. Camillus senior living campus, Kathy’s & Ronald McDonald Houses, the Zoo Interchange and bordering MIlwaukee & Waukesha Counties.
As a society we are familiar with inclusive playgrounds, but the title alone limits the opportunity to go beyond! Why does inclusion in a park begin and end at the playground? The Ability Center, along with parks industry innovator, GameTime, is leading systems change to reimagine HOW the entire landscape of a park can work for everyBODY!
Phase 1: Groundbreaking in Fall 2025, with Opening in Summer of 2026
Phase 2: Groundbreaking in Fall 2026, with Opening in Summer of 2027
Phase 1: $12.5M
Phase 2: $9.5M
Read the most recent press & articles from trusted sources about Universal Parks!
Damian Buchman is the founder of The Ability Center and the vision behind the RampUp Movement which turned Milwaukee’s Bradford...
The Ability Center, in collaboration with Milwaukee County and design partners from IMPACT Parks, is set to hold a groundbreaking...
When some people go to a park, they run, jump and play without a second thought. But for others, it’s...
