Medford Reveals Plans For Universally Accessible McGlynn Schoolyard

MEDFORD, MA — The City of Medford and Medford Public School have announced plans for the construction of a new, universally accessible schoolyard at McGlynn Elementary School.

Construction on the playground is set to begin in the spring at the school, which is located at 3002 Mystic Valley Parkway.

The playground, which will include separate preschool and elementary play areas for students from Pre-K to Grade 5, is designed to be accessible and inclusive for all students and their families. In fact, the playground is expected to go beyond Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards.

Among the features expected to be included in the playground are: an inclusive wheelchair swing, a multi-use field, a stage area, and a fully-accessible and curriculum-aligned outdoor classroom. The design also incorporates feedback from experts at the Perkins School for the Blind.

"By building Medford’s first universally accessible playground at the McGlynn, we are creating a safe and inclusive experience for our students, families, and neighbors to enjoy," Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said. "Thank you to the school district staff led by Superintendent Dr. Edouard-Vincent and the many community partners who have lent their time, energy and resources to supporting and developing this project."

According to City officials, the need for a full redesign of the playground was recognized in the fall of 2019, though the process was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The actual redesign process began in February 2022, when landscape architects Copley-Wolff Group began engaging the public and school community in discussions about the shortcomings of the existing playground and features they would like to see in a new playground.

Over the last 18 months, students, educators, parents, caregivers and community members have come together to collaboratively design the park, according to officials.

"It has been a privilege being a part of this process. I'm especially thrilled with how many playground features came directly from the students, with feedback on how to make it usable from the staff," said Chenine Peloquin, an MPS parent and owner of local play consulting business The Playful Pelican, who volunteered to co-chair the redesign committee.

Peloquin continued: "The staff was incredibly helpful thinking about the challenges of the existing site and how things could work better in the future (and made us promise them shade)."

According to officials, the $2.8 million playground construction project is funded through the Community Preservation Act (CPA), Federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and a state earmark secured by MA Rep. Christine Barber (D-Middlesex 34th). MPS funding was not used for the design or construction process.

Plans for the new playground also incorporate climate resiliency and address the challenging drainage at the site, according to officials. The site plans also call for 100-percent native plants and the installation of 25 new trees.