Inclusive Playground Opens In Bellingham

Children of all abilities in Bellingham now have a new space to play together with the official opening of the Our PlayAbility Playground at Stall Brook Elementary School in Bellingham.

The inclusive playground was unveiled Friday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community members, local leaders and project supporters. The playground features accessible surfacing, wheelchair ramps, sensory panels and communication boards—designed to accommodate children with a wide range of physical and developmental needs.

What began as a vision by special education teacher Hallie Glassman to support a single student has grown into a community-wide initiative. Partnering with Bellingham police officer Manny Toscano, Glassman helped spearhead the effort to raise funds and awareness for the project.

A $100,000 grant from Amazon played a key role in bringing the playground to completion. Jerome Smith of Amazon joined state Rep. Mike Soter, School Committee Chair Mike Reed, and project organizers Glassman and Toscano for the grand opening.

The new facility addresses a long-standing regional challenge, as many playgrounds remain inaccessible to children with mobility limitations. Advocates say the playground will allow all students to play together regardless of ability.

“This is about more than just a playground,” Glassman said. “It’s about inclusion, dignity, and ensuring every child gets the chance to be part of the community.”