For many people, necessity is an inspiration to be innovative and creative. At least this is the case with the man who built Morgan’s Wonderland.
This ultra-accessible theme park was designed by a dad who wanted to ensure his disabled daughter can have fun like any other kid.
During one family vacation, Hartman had just gotten out of the pool when his twelve-year-old daughter at the time, Morgan, went up to some kids who were playing in the water. She tried to make friends with them, but they quickly left the water.
He believes the kids got away because they had no clue how to behave with someone who has a disability.
Hartman decided he would create a place for people with disabilities, but also for other people and people of all ages to have fun together and to try and understand each other better.
Hartman Had to Build the First Ultra-Accessible Theme Park for People with Disabilities
Because this type of park doesn’t exist, Hartman had to build one from scratch. And, for this to happen, he had to invest $35 million.
Hartman says that there were a lot of instances in their life when they couldn’t take Morgan places. She has autism with a cognitive understanding of a five-year-old.
Hartman and his wife started realizing there wasn’t an inclusive place where they could take Morgan so she could have fun. The project began in 2007.
Being a former property developer, Hartman sold his homebuilding business in 2005 and launched the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation.
This is a non-profit which helps people with disabilities. His goal was to make the first ultra-accessible theme park in the world. He had to get together a group of parents, doctors, therapists, and people with disabilities to consult them on the park and all of the facilities it now includes.
They built them on a 25-acre area of a disused quarry in San Antonio, Texas. The park opened in 2010.
What Are the Different Attractions Visitors with Disabilities Can Try in the Theme Park?
Morgan’s Wonderland park has a fully-accessible Ferris wheel, an adventure playground, and one miniature train. The visitors are amazed that this is the first time that their friends and relatives with disabilities experience these theme park enjoyments.
There’s also a carousel with special chariots for wheelchairs. They go up and down, alongside the animals.
Morgan was very cautious on the first drive. She was a bit scared at first and three years passed before she could finally feel safe on the carousel, explained her dad.
Although it was a slow process, the little things we learn through play can make all the difference.
Since the opening of the special theme park, more than a million visitors from 67 countries and from all 50 American states have visited.
Visitors with Disability Don’t Pay for the Ticket
A third of the staff working in the park is with a disability. Moreover, the entrance is free for guests with a disability. Hartman explained that he didn’t want money to get in the way and prevent people with disability from having fun.
Although they know that lose more than a million dollars every year with the opening, they do their best to keep the free-of-charge entrance. They try to recover the amount by organizing fundraisers and through their partners.
The park has recently been enriched with Morgan’s Inspiration Island. This is an entirely accessible water park. Some parts of the island use warm water that is great for people with muscular issues. The riverboat is accessible and the wheelchairs are waterproof and motorized.
Hartman says that you can’t put a price on parents’ grateful faces and satisfaction after spending time in the park with a disabled kid.
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