Location:
The Shaw Family Playground is located within Evergreen Park and is accessible at 2614 Pine Grove Avenue, Sheboygan. The playground had its Soft Opening and Ribbon Cutting on October 27, 2018.
Rental Statement:
In an effort to keep The Grace Pavilion and the Shaw Family Playground open for everyone to enjoy, they cannot be rented/reserved. Please visit sheboyganwi.gov/619/How-to-Reserve-a-Park-Facility for a list of park shelters in Sheboygan that are available to be rented. We appreciate how much everyone enjoys this space and thank you for your understanding.
Background Information:
The Shaw Family Playground’s mission is to support and maintain our playground that is 100% accessible to all people. We created an environment to allow each child, regardless of ability, to interact in unorganized play alongside their peers.
The dream for the playground has been inspired by the formerly conjoined twins, Mateo and McHale Shaw. The twins were born in May 2006 conjoined at their lower backs, spines, and buttocks and had a mere 5% chance at only one of them surviving with a dim prognosis at quality of life.
Mateo and McHale defied the odds, both survived and are full of life! In September 2006, the twins endured a 19-hour surgical separation surgery, giving them a chance at living a life independent of each other. The surgery was a success! The twins have lifetime disability of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus along with some other medical issues, but they are full of life, love, and happiness!
Both boys use wheelchairs, one uses a walker as well. Our eyes have been opened up to another world we did not know existed. We quickly learned the challenges of living with a disability. There was a large need in our community and we wanted to help. A playground that would encourage family and friends to come together would be the perfect project to give back to a community that supported our family during one of our most difficult times.
When our boys were children, Sheboygan County didn’t have a playground that was 100% accessible. At the time of the 2016 U.S census, Sheboygan County had over 16,934 disabled people over the age of 5. Children ages 5 and under are not included in that figure.
Mateo and McHale have inspired a playground that has no barriers, regardless of ability. The design provides accessibility for any child, parent, grandparent, or guardian despite physical limitations. The playground allows children to play together side by side, and through imaginative play, children foster learning and strengthen their physical skills.
The design of the playground was created from the imagination of the children in the Sheboygan Area School District, and through their eyes, Gerber Leisure Products, Inc. brought our community playground to life. Gerber Leisure Products, Inc. based out of Mt. Horeb, WI, is a leader in accessible play structures. They designed our first draft on Design Day, involving community input. The play structure is a fun filled place everyone can enjoy, while ensuring the entire play space meets even the strictest safety standards.
We are excited to bring this to our community and we enjoy spending many days as a family at the playground!
Sincerely yours,
Angie and Ryan Shaw
Chairpersons of the Shaw Family Playground