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Learn about our History

Joy Playground started in 2013 with Parents For Joy, a group of parents, families, and friends living in and around the small town of Atascadero, who have children or family members with special needs. They saw a need for a playground in the community that would enhance the safety and involvement of children with special needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Visual Impairment, just to name a few.  Their vision was to one day see their children playing together with other children, raising awareness, and building friendships. And, of course, having fun! With this in mind, Parents for Joy approached the City of Atascadero and worked with GameTime to develop a playground that would truly-be all inclusive, with features including a fully fenced enclosure, poured-in-place rubber, a wheel-chair accessible tree structure, a stainless steel slide, twelve swings, along with many other fun play structures.

Construction of Joy Playground
Grand Opening of Joy Playground
Joy Playground

United Cerebral Palsy of SLO and Parents Helping Parents saw the vision for Joy Playground early on and stepped in to help guide the process. The City of Atascadero revised their Master Plan to create space for Joy Playground within Colony Park and allocated $505,000 of their budget in 2017 to go toward the costs of constructing the playground. Many other community partnerships were developed along the way, such as with the Kiwanis Club of Atascadero, Idler’s Home, and Atascadero State Hospital. Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony in 2018. On April 5, 2019 Joy Playground officially opened as a City park after over six years of Parents for Joy’s research, fundraising, and collaborating! Since then Joy Playground has become a huge attraction in Atascadero as families from all over the Central Coast come to enjoy our all-inclusive playground! ​In 2022 Parents Helping Parents officially took over oversight of fundraising and community relations for Joy Playground and related projects. We strive to honor the legacy of the Parents for Joy members who worked so hard to make their dream a reality that benefits us all.

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