Ultra-accessible sports facility planned by wheelchair accessible theme park Morgan's Wonderland
by Andy Knaggs | 08 Oct 2019
Morgan's Wonderland, a completely wheelchair accessible theme park in San Antonio, Texas, has announced that it is to build a new "ultra-accessible" sports complex in the city, providing 8,000sq ft (2,440sq m) of covered space for wheelchair sports.
Designed by Luna Middleman Architects, the US$3m (€2.7m, £2.45m) Morgan's Wonderland Sports complex will offer fitness and competition for athletes with different abilities. Facilities will include 8,000 sq ft (745sq m) of covered space for wheelchair sports, adaptable to include six tennis courts, 12 pickleball courts and courts for basketball, softball, baseball, American football and football.
Laser technology will be used when concrete is poured to ensure the playing surfaces will be completely level, the playing surfaces will be tinted to reduce their heat in the sun for users and they will be marked with regulation dimensions for the various sports.
Other facilities will include special LED lighting for visually-impaired athletes, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, water fountains, offices and fencing to keep balls in play.
“We’re all about bringing together those with and without special needs in safe, colourful, non-judgmental, barrier-free environments where the common denominator of play leads to acceptance and understanding,” said Gordon Hartman, co-founder of The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, which spearheaded the parks’ creation.
In fact, Morgan's Wonderland Sports is the second new Morgan's attraction to be unveiled this year, following the announcement in April of plans for an ultra-accessible summer camp-type experience called Morgan's Wonderland Camp.
To be set in a 102-acre site on the northern outskirts of San Antonio, Morgan's Wonderland Camp will be a year-round experience for those with and without special needs. The US$28m (€25.5m, £22.9m) project will cater for up to 525 campers of all ages and abilities on day, weekend or week-long camp sessions.
Facilities will include a multi-platform zipline, horse riding, archery, hiking trails, a nature farm, multiple pools, a tree house with panoramic views, an outdoor fire pit for camp gatherings, a camp store and a health centre.
A charitable contribution of US$15m (€13.65m, £12.27m) from Valero Energy Corp will help the camp experience come to fruition. Both this and the sports facility are expected to open in 2020.
Hartman's 26-year-old daughter with special needs, Morgan, is the inspiration for the expanding portfolio of attractions.
Morgan's Wonderland San Antonio Texas Morgan's Wonderland Sports Morgan's Inspiration Island Morgan's Wonderland Camp
Gordon Hartman and his daughter Morgan, who provided the inspiration for the new development Credit: Morgan's Wonderland
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FEATURE: Features – Morgan's Wonderland
Morgan's Wonderland, a completely wheelchair accessible theme park in San Antonio, Texas, has announced that it is to build a new "ultra-accessible" sports complex in the city, providing 8,000sq ft (2,440sq m) of covered space for wheelchair sports. Designed by Luna Middleman Architects, the US$3m (€2.7m, £2.45m) Morgan's Wonderland Sports complex will offer fitness and competition for athletes with different abilities. Facilities will include 8,000 sq ft (745sq m) of
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