Celebrating the Frautschi Family Playground at Warner Park
- sfranklin299
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
On a beautiful August day in 2023, we gathered at Warner Park to celebrate something truly special—the grand opening of the Frautschi Family Playground, a space designed with every child in mind.
This wasn't just another ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was a milestone in our ongoing commitment to ensure that all 297+ parks in Madison's system are welcoming and accessible to everyone in our community.
Designing for True Inclusivity
What makes this playground extraordinary isn't just its 50+ unique play features—though those are pretty amazing. It's the thoughtful collaboration that shaped every detail. We worked closely with Madtown Mommas and local disability advocates to create a space where accessibility means more than compliance; it means joy, connection, and belonging.
The playground includes:
A wheelchair-accessible swing that allows visitors to enjoy the experience without dismounting
Interactive touch-and-play musical panels
Communication boards that help all children engage and play together
Enhanced parking with increased handicapped and van-accessible spaces
As Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway beautifully expressed at the opening, "This park is not just for folks who have mobility issues, it's not for folks with sensory issues, it's literally a playground for every kid in our community and that's what accessibility is really about."
Community Partnership in Action
Projects like this are only possible because of our incredible community of supporters. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, Jenni & Kyle Foundation, Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, Evjue Foundation, Madison Community Foundation, and Festival Foods for their generous contributions to this project.
The Frautschi Family Playground stands as a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together to create spaces where every child can play, explore, and thrive.
This is the Madison Parks Foundation mission in action—partnering with the Madison Parks Division to create parks that truly serve everyone.