The conversion of Jamie Beth Slavin Memorial Park at 12541 Strathern St. into a playground with better access for disabled children kicked off Thursday following an on-site groundbreaking ceremony.
Nonprofit Shane's Inspiration, which has built dozens of universal playgrounds throughout Los Angeles, will replace current amenities with slides and climbable objects that can be accessed via wheelchair ramps.
A majority of the sand is also slated to be replaced with rubberized flooring to create better access for children in wheelchairs, said Shane's Inspiration Architect Diane Scanlan.
LA City Councilman Paul Krekorian was on hand for the groundbreaking, saying giving Angelinos equal access to local playgrounds is one of the main goals of the city's parks and recreation department.
"You say I would like to go join them, but there's barriers in your way, that separates us in ways that we should never allow to have happen," he said. "When this project is done, that day will be history."
The playground conversion costs $500,000 and is being funded by the city of Los Angeles and grants awarded to First 5 L.A.
Another universal playground is currently in the works in Valley Glen. Click here for a full list of Shane's Inspiration playgrounds.
Jamie Beth Slavin Park is named after a 16-year-old girl who died of Reye's syndrome in 1983.
