We are residents and families in the Titusville community requesting that the City of Titusville consider future improvements and updates to Stuart Park to improve safety, accessibility, and usability for families, especially families with young children and children with disabilities.

Many families in our community have children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, and other developmental disabilities who cannot safely use traditional playgrounds due to sensory overload, elopement risk (wandering), mobility challenges, and lack of adaptive equipment. Currently, there are very few safe, inclusive, enclosed play spaces in our area.

After visiting the park and documenting the current playground and facilities, it is clear that some equipment is aging and showing signs of rust, wear, and outdated design. As the City considers future maintenance, updates, or improvements to this park, we are asking that inclusive and safety-focused improvements be considered as part of future planning.

Suggested Improvements Could Include:

 • Updated playground equipment

 • A fenced playground area with self-closing safety gates

 • A fenced sensory/sandbox play area

 • A small fenced splash pad area

 • More shade structures and shaded seating areas

 • Covered pavilions with picnic tables near play areas

 • Accessible parking near playground areas

 • Permanent restroom facilities with family-style bathrooms and changing tables

 • Perimeter fencing with safety gates to improve safety for young children and children at risk of elopement

 • Safety signage reminding visitors to keep gates closed

These improvements would not take away from the park but would make the park safer, more accessible, and more usable for the entire community, including:

 • Children with disabilities

 • Young children

 • Families and caregivers

 • Schools and community groups

 • Neighborhood residents

We would also like the City to include parents of children with disabilities, therapists, and community members in the planning and design process. Families who use these parks understand the safety concerns, accessibility needs, and equipment that would be most beneficial, and we would be happy to volunteer our time to help design a park that truly serves all children in our community.

Our goal is not to restrict the park, but to help create a safe, inclusive, family-friendly community park that all children in Titusville can enjoy.

Every child deserves a safe place to play.