Our community thrives when our parks are safe, inclusive, and accessible for everyone. Owensboro boasts incredible recreational spaces like Smothers Park, Legion Park, and Moreland Park. However, many of our youth playground zones lack a critical safety feature: secure perimeter fencing.

For parents and caregivers, an open playground can quickly turn from a place of joy into a high-risk zone. This is especially true for families of children with developmental differences, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or ADHD, who are prone to elopement (wandering or running away). National data from the CDC shows that nearly half of all children with autism attempt to elope.

In a single moment of distraction, a child can slip away. In Owensboro, many of our busy playgrounds sit directly adjacent to heavy traffic, bustling parking lots, or open water like the Ohio River.
 
Why This Matters Now
We shouldn’t wait for a tragedy to happen before we take action. Installing perimeter fencing with child-proof latches around playground areas is a proactive, common-sense solution. It doesn’t just help families of children with special needs—it gives every parent, grandparent, and babysitter the peace of mind they need to let their kids play safely. Fencing transforms a public park into a truly inclusive space where all children can thrive.
 
Our Demand
By signing this petition, we call on the Owensboro Board of Commissioners and Owensboro Parks & Recreation to:
Assess existing playgrounds for traffic and water hazards.

Allocate infrastructure funding to install secure perimeter safety fencing around youth play zones. 
 
Prioritize inclusive design in all future park updates so no family is left out.

Sign today to tell city leadership that our children's safety must come first!