Wake County park designed for children with special needs

WAKE COUNTY, North Carolina -- With the nice weather comes local moms asking where they can take their children with special needs to play. Well, there's an amazing park in Wake County specially designed for these children.

Laurel Hills Park is located at Edwards Mill Drive and Glen Eden Drive. But when every step is a challenge, the idea of playing on a playground can seem unattainable.

For children like Danielle and Dionne, who both have special needs, flying through the air on a zip line might never happen- unless they come to Raleigh's Sassafras Park in Laurel Hills Park!

One zip line has a modified seat for children that need assistance, and one is designed for children who don't need assistance. The two can then play side-by-side.

Danielle and Dionne are both 15-years-old. Their mothers and other mothers started raising money for the park when the girls were only 7.

"We had professionals, professors who study play," said Deanna Choplin. "Then, we had people who make the equipment, give their input, and the therapists, and the doctors. So all of these ideas came together."

With that collective effort, Sassafras "All Children's" Playground was born.

Now, the children roam around together on a bright playground designed for all children. There are hundreds of features that make the park so special, including a place for children who are overwhelmed and activities with braille for the visually impaired.

There is an entire community that shares experiences at Sassafras and other resources for children with special needs. Click here to learn more.