Help Us Build a Unique
Inclusive Playground
in Edmonds
Help us raise $250,000 for an inclusive playground
Our Generous Donors
Diana & Rashid
We hope to see Mika's playground complete for all kids to play & enjoy. Thinking of your beautiful … Read more
We hope to see Mika's playground complete for all kids to play & enjoy. Thinking of your beautiful family and your precious Mika. We love you guys. Xoxo The Beydoun Family.
Playground Supporter
Mika’s Playground
Edmonds Rotary has helped build playgrounds in Edmonds – and around the world. But we’ve never helped build a play area quite like this playground, which will be similar to Inspiration Playground in Bellevue.
The new inclusive play area will be an exciting and imaginative new space at the new Edmonds Civic Park, where all ages and abilities will be able to play and explore at their own pace. We’re even hoping to include a carousel that can be accessed and enjoyed by those in wheelchairs – as well as all kids from age 5 to 95. The Edmonds Rotary Foundation is working with the City of Edmonds to raise $400,000 to buy specialized playground equipment that is needed to ensure the playground is inclusive for everyone. Your donations and contributions are tax-deductible as the Edmonds Rotary Foundation is designated 501-c3 organization.
Why Are Inclusive Playgrounds Important?
Nearly one in five people have a disability in the U.S., yet most playgrounds aren’t built to accommodate them (add link to Curbed article). 13 percent of kids enrolled in public school (about 6.7 million children) receive extra services for needs ranging from autism to hearing impairment. Whether a child has cognitive issues, mobility challenges, or both, the design of most urban play areas inadvertently excludes a significant portion of the population playgrounds were built to serve.
There currently are no large inclusive playgrounds from Seattle through Bellingham. Building this in Edmonds will create a new destination spot for Puget Sound and Western Washington families impacted by disabilities, both developmental and physical.
Help Us Spread the Word!
Latest News from Mika’s Playground
Mika’s Story
Mika Zimbalist was an 11 year-old boy who was loved for his zest of life, his beautiful and constant smile, great sense of humor, and deep belly laughs. He was a kind, caring and loyal friend. Mika was born with cerebral palsy, which presented many challenges in the way he moved his body. He did not let this diminish his joy for life, his love for family and friends or his excitement for a new adventure.
Throughout his life, Mika loved going to the park. He loved being outside and sharing the thrill of the activities with his siblings and other kids. When he was younger and smaller, it was easy for him to enjoy the park activities as he could be with his mom or dad on all of the equipment and they could carry him between structures. As he got older and used a wheelchair and walker for mobility, the woodchips that many parks had on the ground got stuck in the wheels and prevented him from getting close to the play structures. In addition to racing with friends, Mika loved to get on the play structures and to swing, but standard park equipment either could not accommodate the wheelchair or was not designed to safely support children who needed extra support because of physical disabilities.
During his short life, Mika taught us so much about the benefits of inclusion and the importance of kids of all abilities being able to play together. He would have loved nothing more than a park where he could easily engage in all types of play with all types of kids. We are inspired to create this park as his legacy. The Mika’s Playground project is working with the City of Edmonds to create an accessible and inclusive park where people of all ages and abilities can engage with one another in a positive and playful environment.
The Mika’s Playground project is working with the City of Edmonds on a community project to create an accessible and inclusive park where people of all ages and abilities can engage with one another in a positive and playful environment.
Thank you for your support in helping to build a more inclusive community for all.
Please Consider a Donation Today
Please join us and donate to Mika’s Playground. All individual and family donations are welcome and appreciated. Sponsorship and naming rights opportunities are available.
If you are a company, organization or foundation that would like to contribute to Mika’s Playground, please contact us to discuss how we can best showcase your support
Want to donate by check?
Please make the check payable to
“Edmonds Rotary Foundation – Mika’s Playground Fund”
and mail to:
PO Box 115; Edmonds, WA 98020
Want to Join the Cause? Contact Us!
There are other ways you can support us too! Want to host or organize a fundraiser? Does your company have a matching program? Contact us!
Mika’s Playground Supporters
We want to thank the following groups, companies and individuals who have donated time and/or funding to make Mika’s Playground a reality.
