Council Approves Creation of Stella’s Playground, City’s First Universally Accessible Play Space
Yesterday (Tuesday, March 24) the Common Council approved legislation that will lead to the creation of Stella’s Playground — Milwaukee’s first universally accessible and inclusive playground — at Kilbourn Reservoir Park in Riverwest.
The legislation – Council file #251701 (sponsored by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs) – will allow the Department of Public Works to accept and expend contributions for the project that have been raised by the playground’s supporters and proponents. A group has already raised more than $465,000 in private contributions for the development of the playground, the total cost of which is estimated at approximately $2 million.
Alderwoman Coggs said the concept for the playground is inspired by Stella Schneider, a child fighting cancer who wants to safely and independently play on her local playground at Kilbourn Reservoir Park.
“An inclusive and accessible playground will provide a welcoming space for all children to play and socialize, and research shows that play space is essential for children’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development,” Alderwoman Coggs said. “Children with disabilities should rightfully have access to the same opportunities as their peers without disabilities, and Stella’s Playground will help provide those nurturing and positive opportunities.”
A survey from the Milwaukee Health Department and the Wisconsin Southeast Regional Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) found that the prevalence of children with special health care needs in Milwaukee (23.5%) was almost double that of the surrounding Milwaukee metropolitan statistical area counties (12.1%), the state (13.4%), and the nation (12.8%);
Alderwoman Coggs said neighborhoods surrounding Reservoir Park (Riverwest, Harambee, and Brewer’s Hill) have a dense and diverse population, making this an ideal location to build Milwaukee’s first universally accessible and inclusive playground.
The playground construction is expected to get underway in late 2026, and additional project details can be found at Stella’s Playground.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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