Overview
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Centennial Playground is located within Gallup Park. The playground is an accessible and inclusive environment. Children of all ages and abilities can develop and play together. The play features offer the chance to develop skills like coordination, balance, and strength, and also offer positive sensory experiences. The park is also great for caregivers with disabilities who will have the chance to engage, supervise and play with their children. The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living helped provide input for the design.
Funding for the Universal Access Playground (UAP) was provided by the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, Michigan DNR State of Michigan DNR Trust Fund and the City Of Ann Arbor - Government Ann Arbor Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage.
Amenities
- Large parking lot
- Accessible parking
- Bus turnaround
- Safety fencing
- Bathrooms
- Seating
- Even surfaces
- Shade
- Ramps
- Mobility device inclusive play features
- Play features for a range of abilities and ages
- Some signage in braille
Overall Playground Site
The playground has an overall theme that invites children to enter a fairy world. It is divided into three distinct play areas that represent different types of nature environments found in this region of Michigan. All of these areas are designed to support individuals of all abilities as they play and explore with family and friends. Each area is connected via a combination of sidewalks, accessible topography changes and ramps. This gives all access to all areas of the playground for everyone.
Woodland Region
The first region that visitors will encounter is the Woodlands. This area is designed for children aged two to five. It is designed to introduce them to fairy world at their level. This area features the Mushroom House, an OmniSpin Spinner, and sand area. These features are great for motor skills, sensory input, and balance. The OmniSpin Spinner and sand area are mobility device accessible.
An updated version of the traditional merry-go-round, the OmniSpin Spinner is designed so that children using wheeled mobility devices can transfer or be transferred out of their devices and enjoy the rotation of a merry-go-round experience.
River Region
The next region visitors will experience is the River Region. This area includes some changes of elevation that create some unique play opportunities. Features include the Sway Fun, a play structure, climbers, stepping stones and more. The Sway Fun and play structure are both mobility device accessible. This area is great for building motor coordination, upper body strength, and balance. There are also a variety of textures for children to touch and enjoy.
The Sway Fun has been customized to look like a Fairy Boat. The placement of the table in this element is key component of its design, this creates an opportunity for children using wheelchair to actively participate in creating movement of the Sway Fun.
Prairie Region
The final area of the fairy world is the Prairie Region. It includes the Oodle Swing and the We-Saw which are covered with a unique shade structure to keep all cool. Other features include play panels, areas to play pretend, play structure and a periscope to look out over the water and park. This area is great for building cooperation, the imagination, and to engage kids' senses. Many parts of this area are accessible to those who use mobility devices.
The Oodle Swing is designed to encourage social play while swinging. A child can easily transfer from a mobility device into the Oodle Swing. Its shape allows children to sit or lay together in different ways while providing support. The Oodle Swing’s larger size also allows adults and children to swing together.
The We-Saw provides children with movement up and down in space. Children can find the “just right” movement experience by sitting in the molded seats or on the center platform.
Report a Problem - A2 Fix It
To report any maintenance issues or other problem during your park visit, please report through A2Fix It. Keep in mind that parks are large spaces and A2 Fix It requests can be hard to find without detailed information. When reporting an issue in a park please include location details. There is a details and description section near the end of the request process to help you provide this. Users can also utilize the pin (website) or X (mobile app) feature to provide specific location information inside the park. Please consider including a wide angle photo, which helps staff find and fix the problem.
