Video: New Taylors playground breaks barriers

Children of all ages swarmed the east-side Greenville Recreation Complex at Scottswood Road and Old Spartanburg Road in Taylors on Monday, reveling in the summer heat on a brand-new playground. 

The play area may seem like just another feather in the Greenville County Recreation District's cap, but there's nothing typical about this playground.

That's because it's a "Boundless Playground," specifically engineered to allow full access for both able-bodied and disabled children. 

The new playground, which has ramps and specially designed slides and swings that allow for full access to those with disabilities, is the first of it kind in South Carolina. 

"I know you're celebrating this for Greenville County," said Gov. Nikki Haley, on-hand for the celebration. "I'm celebrating this for South Carolina."

The idea for the new facility came when Pam Kimmell approached Greenville Rec Community Relations Director Mike Teachey about a lack of access at another park. 

"She sent an e-mail about one of the playgrounds in the city -- it's not one of our playgrounds -- asking about a Jenn Swing, which is an adaptive swing for folks with disabilities. And she said 'gosh you built this great playground, couldn't you at least have put one of these swings in there?' " Teachey said.

"I said 'Ma'am, that's not one of our playgrounds, but our playgrounds don't have any either.' "

That prompted Kimmell to start an email campaign that made the need for more access abundantly clear. The project, which was funded by a $50,000 grant from CVS, a $150,000 anonymous corporate donation and various other donations from local foundations, was also made possible by local Verizon employees, who volunteered their labor for the better part of a year to get it done. 

"My wish," Kimmell said. "Is to make every park accessible to everyone." 

Ruben Alvarez, himself wheelchair-bound, lauded the new playground for giving him an opportunity to play with his daughter, who is also disabled. 

"Normally in those situations, I'd be sitting on the sidelines," Alvarez said.