C.W. Longer playground earns praise
All-abilities facility receives national recognition
The All-Ability Playground at C.W. Longer Elementary has been named the third-best inclusive playground in the nation by Soliant Health. Courtesy photo
C.W. Longer’s All-Ability Playground was upgraded with new accessibility features and play equipment in 2011 using more than $200,000 raised by the Zack Hinish Foundation, a local nonprofit founded by Tami and Jeff Hinish in honor of their son Zack, who passed away in early 2010. Courtesy photo
The All-Ability Playground at C.W. Longer Elementary has been named the third-best inclusive playground in the nation by Soliant Health. Courtesy photo
C.W. Longer’s All-Ability Playground was upgraded with new accessibility features and play equipment in 2011 using more than $200,000 raised by the Zack Hinish Foundation, a local nonprofit founded by Tami and Jeff Hinish in honor of their son Zack, who passed away in early 2010. Courtesy photo
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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- The All-Ability Playground at C.W. Longer Elementary has been named the third-best inclusive playground in the country by Soliant Health in its 2025 Best Inclusive School Playgrounds in America rankings.
Soliant considers a number of factors in their annual contest, including universal design features, sensory-rich elements, community engagement and thoughtful design, according to a release.
"These exceptional playgrounds represent more than just accessible equipment -- they embody a fundamental belief that every child deserves equal opportunities for joy, connection and development through play," said Lesley Slaughter, senior vice president of education at Soliant Health.
Longer hosts the district's Life Skills Support classroom for students with disabilities, and has in the past housed the Multiple Disability Support classroom for Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8, which serves students from across Blair County, so the inclusive playground is a well-loved asset, according to Principal Brian Keagy.
"It's an important part of our school and our community," he said.
It is "heartwarming" to receive the recognition from Soliant, Keagy said, adding that the playground "is something we're all very proud of as a district."
The playground was upgraded with new accessibility features and play equipment in 2011 using more than $200,000 raised by the Zack Hinish Foundation, a local nonprofit founded by Tami and Jeff Hinish in honor of their son Zack, who passed away in early 2010.
ZHF, which is managed by the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation, continues to support local projects such as Penguin Project and Conner's Camera, and has awarded scholarships to Blair County seniors who plan to major in nursing or special education in college.
The playground was the foundation's first major fundraising project after its creation in 2010, according to Tami Hinish.
"The community really came together for that project," she said.
One of the key features installed in the update was a poured rubber surface.
The surface is much more accessible to students who use wheelchairs or walkers than a typical mulch or woodchip covering, Hinish said.
Hinish said that accessible features, such as new ramps onto the play structures, were designed with inclusion in mind, allowing every student to participate in the fun.
The recognition by Soliant comes at the "perfect time for us" according to Jeff Hinish, as ZHF is currently gearing up for another fundraising effort to repair the playground.
Hinish said they are aiming for $150,000 to repair the poured rubber surface and complete a number of other maintenance needs around the play area.
Since it has been "so well loved and well used" the rubber is deteriorating and needs upkeep.
ZHF hopes to raise enough money to install new benches around the playground and to add new adaptive play equipment, he said.
Hinish said that the foundation is currently looking for business sponsors to support the maintenance project, which will be completed across both this summer and next.
Donations in support of the maintenance project can be sent to Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation as a check in care of the Zack Hinish Foundation and must indicate "ZHF" in the memo line, Tami Hinish said.
Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.