Middle Tennessee church, city officials prepare to open new, all-inclusive playground

Adaptive, all-inclusive playgrounds have been popping up all over the Greater Nashville area in recent years, and now a church in Westmoreland is poised to get in on the action.

According to Music City Moms, several all-inclusive parks and playgrounds have been built in suburbs across Middle Tennessee including The Miles Together Playground at Granny White Park in Brentwood, Heritage Park in Clarksville, Davis Wright Playground in Franklin, Miracle Park at Triple Creek Park in Gallatin, Mary’s Magical Place at Veterans Park in Hendersonville, Miracle Field at McKnight Park in Murfreesboro, Promise Park at the Nashville Zoo and Freedom Playground at Lee Victory Recreation Park in Smyrna.

More: How Williamson County kids are inspiring inclusive parks in your neighborhood

Cross Roads Church and Westmoreland city officials were set to break ground Aug. 4 on a new all-inclusive playground for the families of special needs children in Westmoreland and surrounding communities.

A groundbreaking ceremony was planned after the deadline for this publication, but the build isn't scheduled for completion until later this year, officials said.

“Our prayer is that this playground will not only strengthen our community to reach all children and families but also become a focal point for community engagement,” CrossRoads Pastor Chuck Workman said in a press release.

“Cross Roads Church is a wonderful place of worship, but we feel it is also a place of community that plays a significant role in promoting physical and spiritual health.”

The site of the new playground is planned for the church front lawn at 5254 US Hwy 31 E in Westmoreland.

More: Now open: Gallatin's new, all-inclusive Miracle Park playground

Pennsylvania-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer Playworld has been tapped for construction. The playground will feature multiple stations designed with inclusive playground equipment, officials explained.

A wheelchair-accessible Whirl, accessible swing seat, chimes and more are expected as part of the build.

Officials expect the project, estimated at a cost about $100,000, to be completed this fall.

More: Smyrna cuts ribbon on Freedom Playground, creating a fun, all-inclusive space

“I love this idea of sensory play, and it's vital in a small town like ours. These play areas will help with problem solving, building social skills, help with spatial awareness, and, of course, build their confidence," Westmoreland High School Special Education and Inclusion teacher Jessica Thomas said in the release.

"Sound and touch for sensory children are imperative to their learning. It helps with their body awareness and controlling their thoughts and actions."

Following the equipment installation, Cross Roads Church plans to build a large, covered pavilion nearby for families to eat while children play on the playground, the release said.

The church belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention, Tennessee Baptist Convention and Bledsoe Baptist Association, which includes Sumner, Macon and Trousdale Counties.

More: Check out Brentwood's new inclusive playground at Granny White Park

For more information on Cross Roads Church and the playground, visit facebook.com/CrossRoadsWestmorelandTN.

Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Middle Tennessee church, city officials prepare to open new, all-inclusive playground