How one man built a $51m theme park for his daughter – BBC News
How one man built a $51m theme park for his daughter – BBC News
“We wanted a theme park where everyone could do everything, where people with and without special needs could play,” Hartman says.
He brought together doctors, therapists, parents and other people with and without disabilities to consult on the facilities. These were built on the 25-acre site of a disused quarry in San Antonio, Texas.
…The park, called Morgan’s Wonderland, cost $34m (£26m) and opened in 2010. Attractions include a fully-accessible Ferris wheel, adventure playground and miniature train. Visitors regularly tell Hartman it is the first time they’ve been able to experience such attractions.There is also a carousel with specially designed chariots for wheelchairs that go up and down alongside the animals.
…Since it opened Morgan’s Wonderland has received over a million visitors from 67 countries and from all 50 American states. A third of staff have disabilities and entrance is free to any guest with a condition.“I realised Morgan was one of the lucky ones because she had many of the things she needed. I didn’t want cost to be a barrier for others with special needs,” Hartman says.“We open every year knowing we’re going to lose over $1m (£750,000) and we need to recover that through fundraising and partners.”
This year, the theme park was expanded with the opening of Morgan’s Inspiration Island, a fully-accessible water park.“Fewer people were visiting in July because the wheelchairs got too hot. So we decided to create a water park next door,” Hartman says.Parts of the island use warm water, which helps visitors with muscular problems. Waterproof motorised wheelchairs are provided, which run on compressed air rather than batteries. There is also an accessible river boat ride.
This is the link to Morgan’s Wonderland.
This is the link to donate/help raise funds or, if you’re in Texas, volunteer.