Two-year-old Hank Hampton looks at his mother, Adrienne Hampton, from the top of a green climbing pole during the grand opening of Southside Park playground, an inclusive park where children of all abilities can play, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Tyler. (Cara Campbell/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Jack Bryans, 6, was one of the many children excited to play at the new all-inclusive playground at Southside Park in Tyler.

His parents, Casey and Renae Bryans, were extremely grateful for this new addition to Tyler.

“It’s for Jack and it’s for all those great kids out here,” his dad, Casey, said. “I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is a blessing for us.”

Tyler Area Ambucs, the city of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department and families welcomed the opening of the new park Saturday morning. The park allows all children to play safely and independently.

His father recalled Jack loving his experience at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, a theme park that’s accessible to all ages and disabilities.

“As parents, Jack is 6, Jack goes to kindergarten, Jack lost a tooth last night and Jack loves to play,” he said. “Now, he’s got a safe place that Tyler provided.”

At the podium with his dad, Jack repeatedly thanked guests and the project contributors.

Tyler Area Ambucs, a civic club dedicated to the mobility and independence of those with disabilities, had the idea for all children to have a place to play over six years ago.

Amanda Storer, Tyler Area Ambucs president, said the $1.2 million park was funded through donations, grants and the city of Tyler Half Cent Sales Tax Board.

“We wanted to include the community as much as we can. You can take ownership of this project because everybody here has had a part in it,” she said. “It took a village to be able to do that (gather donations and funding).”

The park includes wheelchair ramps, soft and smooth surface turf, accessible swings and a wheelchair rocker for kids of all abilities to enjoy.

“The purpose of this project is to provide a way for all children, including those with special needs, to have a place to come and play,” Storer said. “We want people to know it’s inclusive, meaning that we want everyone to be included.”

Bryans said it’s a great sense of accomplishment for the East Texas area to celebrate kids with different abilities.

“It’s a place where he can play with his friends safe and independent,” he said. “(Jack) loves it. He loves the swings. They’re his favorite.”

Brian and Annie Gilstrap shared their excitement for their son, Drake, to have a place to play in a safe environment.

“It kind of gets me emotional to see Drake finally come out and play with his brother and sisters,” he said. “We go to parks a lot, but Drake has to sit back.”

The soft turf helps Drake to move around and fully explore the playground in his wheelchair.

“He’s never been to the top of a playset before,” Drake’s mom, Annie, said. “We’re just happy to have it here. It’s also a place for families to connect because a lot of times we lived in isolation quite a bit.”

She said the closest similar park to them was in Dallas, and going there was in conjunction with doctor visits.

“This isn’t related to a doctor visit, it’s just a fun thing to do in our hometown,” she said.

Russ Jackson, with Tyler Parks and Recreation, thanked the donors and those who helped in the park project.

“This is really an awesome park to debut,” Jackson said. “If it wasn’t for donations, we wouldn’t have a park like this.”

He said there was over $300,000 in donations, funds that were matched from the city’s Half Cent Sales Tax Board.

Former City Councilman John Nix said there’s nothing like this in the East Texas region.

“This is pretty cool and my heart’s pretty full as I stand here and look at the fact that we got it here,” Nix said. “To actually see it, touch it, see kids on it, it’s pretty overwhelming.”

Storer said there are still plans for signage and fencing barriers to be added as well as sports court improvements.