Bring an inclusive splash pad to Joy Playground in Atascadero
The Issue
I’m a mom of two autistic children, and this issue is deeply personal to me. I know what it feels like to look at a community space and realize that it simply wasn’t designed with my children in mind.
Our summers are hot, and finding places where my kids can simply play, cool off, and be safe can be a constant challenge. Both of my children are prone to eloping, so safety is something I have to think about every time we go somewhere. My son also receives therapy out in the community because many of his providers cannot come to our home, and Joy Playground has become our go to. What I want most is actually very simple: I want my kids to be kids.
I want them to be able to splash in the water on a hot day, laugh, play, and experience those ordinary childhood moments that so many families get to take for granted. I want them to be able to play alongside other children—not in a separate space, not as an afterthought, but as part of their community.
And this isn’t just about my children.
There are so many families in North County who face barriers to recreation, whether because their children have disabilities, they don’t have access to a pool, or they simply need a safe and affordable place to cool off during our hot summers. An inclusive splash pad at Joy Playground would give children of all abilities, along with their siblings, friends, parents, and grandparents, a place to enjoy together.
For me, this is about more than water play. It’s about belonging.
I want my children to grow up knowing that their community made space for them. I want them to know that they are valued, that they belong, and that they don’t have to wait for someone to realize they were left out before accessibility becomes important.
Joy Playground already gives our community a place to come together. An inclusive splash pad would build on that and create a space where even more children can play, cool off, connect, and simply be kids.
That is why I’m asking our community to come together and support an inclusive splash pad at Joy Playground.
Our children deserve a place to play. They deserve to belong. And they deserve to know that their community believes that, too.
269
The Issue
I’m a mom of two autistic children, and this issue is deeply personal to me. I know what it feels like to look at a community space and realize that it simply wasn’t designed with my children in mind.
Our summers are hot, and finding places where my kids can simply play, cool off, and be safe can be a constant challenge. Both of my children are prone to eloping, so safety is something I have to think about every time we go somewhere. My son also receives therapy out in the community because many of his providers cannot come to our home, and Joy Playground has become our go to. What I want most is actually very simple: I want my kids to be kids.
I want them to be able to splash in the water on a hot day, laugh, play, and experience those ordinary childhood moments that so many families get to take for granted. I want them to be able to play alongside other children—not in a separate space, not as an afterthought, but as part of their community.
And this isn’t just about my children.
There are so many families in North County who face barriers to recreation, whether because their children have disabilities, they don’t have access to a pool, or they simply need a safe and affordable place to cool off during our hot summers. An inclusive splash pad at Joy Playground would give children of all abilities, along with their siblings, friends, parents, and grandparents, a place to enjoy together.
For me, this is about more than water play. It’s about belonging.
I want my children to grow up knowing that their community made space for them. I want them to know that they are valued, that they belong, and that they don’t have to wait for someone to realize they were left out before accessibility becomes important.
Joy Playground already gives our community a place to come together. An inclusive splash pad would build on that and create a space where even more children can play, cool off, connect, and simply be kids.
That is why I’m asking our community to come together and support an inclusive splash pad at Joy Playground.
Our children deserve a place to play. They deserve to belong. And they deserve to know that their community believes that, too.
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on September 10, 2026