ABout US
PlaySudbury is a volunteer group of parents, grandparents, educators, and residents who are dedicated to strengthening our community through play by making our playgrounds and public spaces welcoming to all. We believe that every child deserves equal access to their neighborhood playground where they can challenge themselves and develop physically, socially, and emotionally. It’s an ideal place to learn tolerance, awareness, and compassion in a fun and positive atmosphere.
We are collaborating with the Town of Sudbury and the Sudbury Public Schools to modernize our elementary school playgrounds and create equal opportunities for children and families of all abilities to play, learn, and thrive in a fully adaptive environment. Together we must advocate for children with disabilities to have the resources that they need in their home district, so that they can actively participate in their communities inside and outside of the school walls.
PlaySudbury is operating under the 501(c)(3) umbrella of SMILE Mass.
Once upon a Town Meeting...
In May of 2017, the Town of Sudbury was holding their annual Town Meeting. In the heart of New England, Sudbury’s Town Meetings are just as you would imagine - townspeople, gathered in a large room, raising their hands to vote yea or nay on articles. One article about playgrounds came up for a vote. Apparently the school playgrounds were not ADA compliant. However, the vote on bringing the playgrounds up to federal and state regulations ended up getting delayed because the design plans weren’t quite ready.
I was intrigued by this project and soon realized that I actually had a friend whose son didn't enjoy recess because he could not access the playground equipment. Knowing how much joy and enrichment my little boys derive from their time on the playground, I couldn't imagine any child being denied their right to equal access to the school playground. I decided to get involved. After investigating how playgrounds get built, it became clear that to do this project right, there needed to be a collaboration between the town, the schools, and the community. A few meetings with friends, some coffee at Shaws, and PlaySudbury was born.
I was intrigued by this project and soon realized that I actually had a friend whose son didn't enjoy recess because he could not access the playground equipment. Knowing how much joy and enrichment my little boys derive from their time on the playground, I couldn't imagine any child being denied their right to equal access to the school playground. I decided to get involved. After investigating how playgrounds get built, it became clear that to do this project right, there needed to be a collaboration between the town, the schools, and the community. A few meetings with friends, some coffee at Shaws, and PlaySudbury was born.