Olathe Approves STAR Bond District – Ultra-Accessible Amusement Park Coming Soon

Olathe Approves STAR Bond District – Ultra-Accessible Amusement Park Coming Soon: Olathe, Kansas’s STAR Bond district was approved, paving the way for an ultra-accessible amusement park to be built. Since I have dedicated the previous seven years to writing about accessibility at amusement parks, I am ecstatic to hear this news. I am relieved that this has been approved since it will help other families who are dealing with children who have disabilities.

The diagnosis of cerebral palsy was made at the age of three for my son Ajay, who is now twelve years old. Over the years that followed, our family has learned to adapt to life with a disability. Finding activities and destinations that Ajay can really enjoy has been rather challenging. Amusement parks can be challenging for individuals with mobility impairments due to the rides, crowds, and uneven ground. Having said that, this recently opened park asserts its singularity.

In order to pay for the park’s infrastructure and construction, the Olathe City Council issued $40 million in STAR bonds. Bonds issued by the Star Alliance use anticipated sales tax earnings to pay for initial expenditures. The bond repayment will be spread out over 20 years, using sales tax revenue from the 135-acre zone. Together, the public and commercial sectors will ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to the park’s cutting-edge amenities, allowing its designers to fully realize their vision.

Olathe Approves STAR Bond District – Ultra-Accessible Amusement Park Coming Soon

Here are a few highlights of the park’s planned ultra-accessible features:

  • Park design and ride layout are both governed by the Americans with impairments Act (ADA), which ensures that all areas of the park are accessible to those with impairments. By doing so, we ensure full accessibility and inclusivity.
  • Absolutely no problems! Any form of mobility aid, including wheelchairs, walkers, service animals, and the like, will have no trouble accessing the rides. Open designs will be easily accessible to users.
  • Inclusive playgrounds will allow children of different abilities to play side by side. Wheelchair ramps, ground-level features, and interactive components might make them wheelchair accessible.
  • Rooms with dim lighting—These rooms can offer a peaceful escape for individuals who experience difficulty processing sensory information when the park gets too overwhelming.
  • Virtual transportation lines, sign translation, route planning, and other accessible services will be available to guests through specialized applications.
  • Defibrillators, adult changing tables, private nursing quarters, and first aid kits are all amenities that might be helpful when dealing with medical emergencies.
  • According to bizjournals, Staff members will receive extensive training to guarantee they can accommodate customers with disabilities, treat them with respect, and deliver first-rate service in an inclusive setting.
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I can speak to the uniqueness of some of these attractions having brought my son to over fifty amusement parks across the country. Parks that advertised themselves as accessible but were really severely lacking in that regard have disappointed our family on more than one occasion.

Last summer, a really annoying incident took place at a famous park in California. Not a single ride was suitable for my child. There weren’t a single ride that a wheelchair could safely use, even though some of them were marked as “accessible” on the park map. Despite spending $400 on a hotel and tickets, Ajay waited and watched while his younger sister rode ride after ride at the amusement park. He was devastated.

For this reason, I always research parks well before we go. That is why the construction of a park with ultra-accessibility as its primary goal is truly unique. Amusement parks no longer modify rides in a way that makes them worthless when you get there. True global design ensures that my son will not be excluded.

That matters a lot for families like mine. Vacations and visits to parks are meant to create joyful memories. When your child is excluded because of accessibility concerns, it puts a damper on the entire adventure. Pictures of attractions that Ajay was unable to enjoy further bolster his sense of isolation from his relatives. Being a father, those memories made me feel bad.

We are really anticipating taking the entire family to this amusement park to enjoy the rides, games, and laughter together. There is no requirement for separation on a ride that uses steps instead of a ramp. Once our daughter starts riding roller coasters, my spouse and I won’t have to wait outside. Along with Ajay, we will soar through the air in a virtual reality headset and race down water slides.

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For the next few years, I intend to closely monitor the park’s plans and provide updates to other families who have children with special needs. The creators have pledged to work with disability advocates and professionals to ensure they fulfill the promise of ultra-accessibility. Their capacity to achieve something truly revolutionary is something I truly believe in.

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This theme park has the potential to become the next great thing in accessible amusement parks. When compared to larger, more accessible amusement parks like Sesame Place in Pennsylvania and Morgan’s Wonderland in Texas, Olathe falls short. Plus, it’s so close to my Midwest backyard that I wouldn’t even have to worry about booking an aircraft ticket to go there.

Everyone, not just families, can enjoy an ultra-accessible park. Whether it’s a result of an accident or just getting older, everyone is welcome in this welcoming space, regardless of whether their disability is temporary or permanent. Along with physical barriers, the stigmas that accompany disabilities will also be eliminated.

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My son would be able to experience a theme park just like any other child if circumstances were ideal. Until then, parks with an early focus on accessibility, like this one, will have to suffice. The Midwest desperately needs a park like this one. Without hesitation, I shall be there as soon as the doors open. I hope you know about “Olathe Approves STAR Bond District – Ultra-Accessible Amusement Park Coming Soon”.

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