Children With Special Needs Will Have a Special Playground

Foothill locals with special needs children can plan on a new park in Van Nuys. 

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian and leaders from the Valley Glen community gathered Monday morning to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Universal Access Playground at Valley Glen Community Park, located at the corner of Erwin Street and Ethel Avenue in Van Nuys. 

When completed, the park will include stepping logs, up to eight play structures, as many as five half log climbers/slides and more, according to a news release from Krekorian's office.

While the new playground will be open to all, it was specifically designed for children with special needs in conjunction with the advocacy group Shane’s Inspiration, an international nonprofit organization.

The project, paid for with Proposition K funds, will also include new lumber fencing and a new track around the park, which is scheduled to be completed in September, according to Krekorian's office.

The new park could be a destination for special needs children in Los Angeles County, including Montrose-La Crescenta. 

About 350 special needs children live in the Montrose-La Crescenta and La Canada Flintridge area, according to Marylou King of Foothill Special Education Local Plan Area. SELPA is a non-profit special education agency that provides assistance to the special education departments at Burbank, Glendale, and La Canada Unified School Districts. 

Check out the photos of the groundbreaking.