Variety Children’s Charity of Greater Kansas City — also known as Variety KC — is helping reshape what it means for a community to be truly inclusive and accessible for every child. Under the leadership of CEO and Chief Inclusion Officer Marc Harrell, that vision is becoming a reality for parks in the Kansas City metro.
These parks are coming to life ahead of the launch of the Ten Parks Project, an initiative to develop fully accessible, all-abilities playgrounds and inclusive community spaces across greater Kansas City. Variety KC is already closing the gap on its goal that no family should be more than 10 miles from a fully inclusive playground.
Variety KC’s Mission: Creating Playgrounds for All Children
This extensive design and building process will come to life this fall with Brody’s Boundless Playground near Blue Valley Rec Sports Complex, as well as another playground in Riverside. Both new parks will feature universal restrooms so that every family can stay and play without limitation. These locations will also feature also thoughtful fencing for safety and peace of mind, multi-ability swings and accessible climbing elements. “These parks don’t just check boxes — they raise them,” Harrell says.
Building truly inclusive parks goes beyond technical accessibility design; it requires a higher level of design intention. For this reason, inclusive parks have a budget that standard parks rarely anticipate. However, Variety KC believes that every challenge they encounter makes their process stronger and their standards sharper. Harrell says, “We’ve learned to build the right partnerships early, from design firms who understand Universal Design to funders who share our conviction that inclusion is worth getting right.”
All of Variety KC’s parks are built to their Universal Design standards, which go far beyond ADA compliance. These standards ensure that every element of the play environment is usable for children of all abilities. “The design philosophy is simple: if it’s great for a child with a disability, it’s great for every child,” Harrell says. This includes surfacing that allows children using wheelchairs or mobility devices to move freely throughout the entire space, as well as equipment that is configured to enable children of all abilities to play side by side.
Harrell says that when play options are not only physically accessible but also geographically accessible, “it changes daily life for families who have too often had to drive past perfectly good parks because those parks weren’t designed for their child.” And while building friendships, confidence and belonging is important for those with disabilities, inclusive play benefits every child who experiences it. “We envision a Kansas City where kids of all abilities are playing side by side in their own neighborhoods,” says Harrell.
How Kansas City Families Can Support Inclusive Play
Families can support Variety KC’s mission by visiting inclusive playgrounds, sharing these resources with their communities and learning more about upcoming projects. As Kansas City continues growing, organizations like Variety KC are helping ensure that every child has a place to belong.
Learn more about Variety KC and find inclusive playground resources at VarietyKC.org.
A KC Parent Favorite: Variety KC Inclusive Playground in Independence
McCoy Park: 800 N. Bess Truman Pkwy., Independence, MO.
Ramps, adaptive swings, and smooth flooring ensure that this pioneer-themed playground is accessible to all. The park is fenced and contains interactive panels, sensory-rich musical elements, and stainless steel slides for children with cochlear implants. It also includes a Miracle League baseball field, which has a large playing field with an even surface.
Planning an outing to Independence? Check out our A Day in Independence, Missouri: The Perfect Family Outing to a Lesser-Known Part of Kansas City article for more family friendly stops!
Variety KC Inclusive Playgrounds in Kansas City
Variety KC Inclusive Playground at Tiffany Hills Park
9400 N. Congress Ave., Kansas City, MO
This Northland playground features accessible ramps, sensory play elements, adaptive swings and a pirate theme that makes play fun for children of all abilities.
Variety KC Inclusive Playground at Kansas City Zoo
6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO
Located inside the Kansas City Zoo, this inclusive playground gives children of all abilities a chance to climb, explore and play during a zoo visit.
Variety KC Inclusive Playground at Leawood City Park
10601 Lee Blvd., Leawood, KS
This all-abilities playground features accessible surfacing, adaptive equipment and inclusive play areas where children can play together.
Variety KC Inclusive Playground at College Boulevard Activity Center
11031 S. Valley Parkway, Olathe, KS
This Olathe playground offers accessible play equipment and a welcoming space where children of all abilities can enjoy outdoor play.
Variety KC Inclusive Playground at Roe Park
10400 Roe Ave., Overland Park, KS
Families can enjoy an accessible playground with inclusive equipment designed to encourage imaginative play and connection.
Variety KC Inclusive Playground at Black Bob Park
14500 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS
This Olathe park features inclusive play equipment that allows children with different abilities to explore and play side by side.
Variety KC Inclusive Family Play Zone at KCI
Kansas City International Airport, Kansas City, MO
Traveling families can take a break before their flight at this indoor play area featuring accessible and sensory-friendly elements.
Through its commitment to inclusive play, Variety KC is helping create a Kansas City where every child has the opportunity to explore, connect and have fun. From accessible playgrounds to community spaces designed with all abilities in mind, these projects remind families that play is something every child deserves to experience. As more inclusive playgrounds continue to open throughout the metro, Kansas City families can look forward to more places where children of all abilities can play side by side.