Last Monday, July 4, was inaugurated in Santa Cruz one of the largest playgrounds in the Canary Islands, the park dedicated to The Gesta of July 25, of which this year marks the 225th anniversary. In just one week they have gone through this playground nearly 5,000 children, as detailed by the mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, through his social networks. “In less than a week, close to 5,000 boys and girls already know the new park of La Gesta 25 de Julio. Our goal is that they have fun playing and that they learn by playing one of the most important moments in our city”, could be read in the mayor’s publication.
Also through social networks, the City Council of Santa Cruz He met the criticism expressed by the group We want to move about the lack of accessibility of the park, denouncing that not all children could benefit from the games. The Consistory published a list in which they indicated what a children’s area must have to be accessible.
Thus, according to the City Council, for a playground to be accessible “its games must be designed and thought out so that girls and boys, regardless of their limitations, can play together learning. For this reason, it must have accessible games that go unnoticed so that everyone can interact at the same time, thus achieving universal accessibility”. For the Consistory, “the new Gesta park on July 25 is an example of an accessible playground.”
From the City Council it is defended, according to the previous definition, that the park of La Gesta, “does not have inclinations of more than 8% and the only area that rises significantly from the ground is protected by posts and ropes that prevent possible falls”. He adds that “Nelson’s ship at the bottom of it is perfectly accessible, and the sunken ship has low chords and gentle slopes that allow for limited and controlled rocking.” As for the rowing boats “they have ropes that form hammocks on which to swing in a controlled way, and a wheelchair-accessible swing is included.” Finally, “it has color contrasts in many elements and the entire continuous cushioning floor, to facilitate the vision of children with visual problems, and includes a “nest” swing and another with an integration seat”.
