Join us on July 17 for A WALK IN THE PARK with Marissa BODE
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People impacted by disABILITIES have been around as long as humanity as existed. We just haven’t designed the world for their unique needs.
We know it’s well past time to do better!
In the spirit of George F. Moss — with his overwhelmingly generous $2.5 million gift — we will do better TOGETHER!
The world is simply not built for people with disabilities. At worst, we’re considered disposable. Most of the time we’re an inconvenience or an afterthought — a curb cut here, a ramp there, a wider bathroom stall over there, a playground in a park somewhere, but not every park everywhere. Nevermind the rest of the park. That’s off limits.
It’s been nearly 35 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act established the absolute minimum people are legally required to do in order to make the world accessible to us. But it’s not about designing the world to be accessible to people with disabilities; it’s about designing the world for everyBODY. Universal Design brings people together by ensuring everyBODY can share the same world.
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.
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. 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.
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
