Lake Placid Accessible Playground Reopens for Community Use

A playground originally built to ensure children of all abilities could play together is once again open to the community.

The accessible playground at Lake Placid Elementary School officially reopened Saturday morning following a cooperative effort involving Highlands County Schools, the Town of Lake Placid and the Lake Placid Police Department.

The reopening was marked by a small gathering of families, supporters, and local officials. The event was organized on short notice because the focus was on making the playground available to children and families as quickly as possible rather than planning a large public celebration.

The playground was originally constructed as the Lake Placid Elementary School Universal Playground Project. What began as an effort to replace aging playground equipment evolved into a community project designed to create an inclusive environment where children with physical disabilities and their peers could play together. The original project brought together support from the School Board of Highlands County, Highlands County commissioners, the Town of Lake Placid, the Lake Placid Elementary PTO, local organizations, businesses, and community members.

John Varady, of the Highlands County School District, who was instrumental in the original construction of the playground, also helped facilitate efforts to restore public access to the facility.

Mayor Colleen Charles recognized Town staff members who worked quickly to prepare the site for reopening. Within a week, employees pressure washed playground equipment and cleaned the grounds to ensure the area was ready for children and families.

Among those attending Saturday’s reopening were Lake Placid Police Chief Mark Schneider, Miss Lake Placid Ellise Mills, Council Member Joy Eberhardt, Greg Dunlop and his wife of the Placid Lakes Home & Property Owners Association, and Saundra Bass, Director of the Miracle League of Highlands County.

The Lake Placid Police Department and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office provided toys and small trinkets for children attending the event.

The reopening restores public access to a playground that was originally intended to serve both students and the broader community. The playground will remain open throughout the summer until dusk. During the school year, it will be available after school hours and on weekends.

For many families, the reopening represents the return of an important community resource and an inclusive recreational space designed to welcome children of all abilities.