CLEMYJONTRI PARK features a unique playground where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. It is a playground where every child is welcome.

This park is a place where children who use wheelchairs, walkers or braces, or who have sensory or developmental disabilities, can have a parallel playground experience of fun and exploration. At CLEMYJONTRI….

• Ramps connect structures
• Swings have high backs, arm rests and special safety features
• Rubber surfacing allows wheelchairs to roll easily
• Lowered monkey bars provide easy access
• Equipment is designed to be sensory rich so all children can participate with peers
• Wider openings allows easy access to play structures

Other features include a carousel and a picnic pavilion. The entrance road leads to an 81-space parking area and a drop-off zone for vehicles whose passengers need close access. Future development will incude other amenities in the surrounding 10 acres of space.

PLAYGROUND

To the casual observer, the playground at Clemyjontri Park looks like an ordinary playground, with swings, slides and play equipment fun to climb on, under and around. A closer look will reveal that some of those swings have high backs for children who need extra support. Instead of standard transfer platforms there are ramps to the elevated play components. Pathways between equipment are wide and colorful, and the ground surfaces are non-slip and porous designed to provide a greater level of access for children.

There is something for everyone – children will be able to find something to climb on, touch, read, do or create. Children will enjoy the challenges of balance and depth perception on the playground’s balance beams. A mini-track can be used to race, playhouses and cubbies offer pleasant spaces for social interaction while also allowing children seeking quiet or separate areas to play in smaller groups.

Tent sails provide areas of shade in the playground and benches are located throughout the play area. Just north of the playground is an asphalt trail that connects to site perimeter trails which will eventually encircle the park during future development.

The Two Acre Playground Consists of 4 Outdoor “Rooms” Surrounding a Centerpiece Carousel.

The Rainbow Room – With rainbow archway, surface with colors of the rainbow and a variety of swings

• Accommodates all physical levels
• Integrates sign, Braille, pictures and language
• Teaches colors of the rainbow

The Schoolhouse & Maze – With learning panels forming a maze that may be reconfigured

• Focuses on educational learning games
• Teaches where am I reading, maps and a globe
• Teaches what time it is using time zones and clocks

The Movin and Groovin Transportation Area – Designed with transportation themed equipment such as a race track, motorcycles, planes, and trains

• Stimulates imagination
• Teaches balance and special skills
• Mimics true roadway situations

Fitness & Fun – Includes the largest piece of play equipment along with various jungle gym components

• Stimulates imagination
• Progressive challenges for physical strength
• Energy burner
• Builds confidence

CAROUSEL

Chariots, a spinning tea cup and 14 prancing steeds await only the imagination of children. The carousel is recessed to ground level so that it is accessible for wheelchairs, allowing children to transfer to the tea cup. The chariot is designed to allow for transfer to a seated position or to remain seated in the wheelchair.

2013 Carousel Operation Schedule (weather permitting*)

1. April 6 – May 26: Weekends only 9:30am – 6:30pm
2. May 27 – Sept. 2: Weekdays 9:30am – 1:00pm, Weekends 9:30am – 6:30pm
   EXCEPTIONS:

   • Extended Hours: 9:30am-5pm, Monday, May 27, 2013 (Memorial Day)
   • Extended Hours: 9:30am-5pm, Thursday, July 4, 2013 (Independence Day)
   • Extended Hours: 9:30am-5pm, Monday, September 2, 2013 (Labor Day)
3. September 3 – October 27: Weekends only 9:30 am-6:30 pm

   EXCEPTIONS:

   • Open Monday, October 14, 2013 10am-5pm (Columbus Day)
   • December 14-15, 2013 Carousel rides and pictures with Santa, 11am-2pm

*The carousel does not operate in conditions such as heavy rain, thunder, lightning, and temperatures less than 55° F

Fee: $1.75/ride

LIBERTY SWING

In 2010, Friends of Clemyjontri successfully raised enough money to purchase and install Virginia’s first Liberty Swing, a swing which allows wheelchair users the experience of swinging without having to transfer from their wheelchair.

• The Liberty Swing is a swing that allows children in wheelchairs the opportunity to experience the joy of having a swing in the park. It is the only swing of its type that is fully lockable and allows a maximum swing height – that is, really swinging, not just rocking back and forth.
• Until now, some children have had to sit and watch from the sidelines as their siblings experience the freedom and exhilaration of a swing – something that most of us have taken for granted.
• Quote from Occupational Therapist “the therapeutic benefits are significant: visual-spatial, muscle tone, head control, self-regulation, attention, emotion. It’s a wonderful product”.

Users please be aware:

*Prior to use of the Liberty Swing the user (or guardian) needs to complete a liability release.

*Two keys are required to use the swing: one to unlock the gated area surrounding the swing and another to unlock the swing itself. Keys are only guaranteed available when the park is staffed (carousel is operating). If you plan to visit on a day when the carousel is not operating and you wish to use the swing, please contact the office prior to your visit at 703-388-2807 x0 to make arrangements for a key.

*For users who desire to have a personal set of keys, they are provided free of charge at the Clemyjontri Park office during carousel operating hours (or by arrangement).

PICNIC PAVILION

The picnic pavilion, open daily dawn to dusk, is a wonderful location for community meetings, picnics, and gatherings. There is direct access to the pavilion from the parking area and entrance to the playground.

The picnic pavilion is available for half-day and full-day rentals. When not reserved, the shelter is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional picnic tables are located on the property outside of the picnic pavilion when the pavilion has been reserved. Picnic Pavilion reservations cannot be made at Clemyjontri Park. Please see rental information and make a reservation here.

Features of the Pavilion:

• The shelter is aproximately 38′ by 38′, and holds six accessible tables to seat up to 48 individuals (including spaces for 16 wheelchairs).
• Cantilevered tops and cut out areas allow easy wheelchair access for children and adults.
• The pavilion offers both adult and accessible water fountains, as well as accessible restrooms with baby changing tables.
• Two GFI duplex electrical outlets are provided for public/park use.

Please protect your park and keep all food and beverages away from the playground equipment and surfacing.

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