GWENDOLYN’S
PLAYGROUND
WHY OUR REGION NEEDS THIS
Every child deserves to play. Playgrounds are vital public spaces for community connection and social development. Yet, the average playground is not designed to meet the needs of all those who want to play, particularly the one in four of us living with a disability.
“Inclusion is a way of thinking, a way of being, and a way of making decisions about helping everyone belong.”
Inclusive play helps develop a true understanding of the world and encourages appreciation of the differences between people. More importantly, inclusive play recognizes our similarities and builds a more compassionate society.
“This is the most exciting park in our City’s history. And will put Santa Barbara on the map.” ~ Planning Commissioner
Gwendolyn’s Playground will be the first fully inclusive playground in Santa Barbara, enriching public spaces to serve our whole community. We have designed a one-of-a-kind destination experience that will elevate play to be more for everyone, bringing people together in JOY!
The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation has raised $6 Million to build Gwendolyn’s Playground.
We are still in need of $3 Million for the Kindness Endowment Fund for inclusive programming and long-term innovation.
We did it! We met our immediate goal to build Gwendolyn’s Playground. Now let’s ensure this is a space of innovation, belonging, and joy forever! Help us fund the remaining endowment fund and sports fields.
HELP US BUILD GWENDOLYN'S PLAYGROUND
“Play is a fundamental right of childhood.” – United Nations
Yet, along California’s Coast, there are few truly inclusive playgrounds. That’s why, in 2018, the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation (GSF) partnered with the City of Santa Barbara to build the region’s first fully inclusive destination playground—ensuring every child has a place to belong, play, and thrive.
A Bold Vision for Inclusion
The City of Santa Barbara generously allocated 10-acres at Dwight Murphy Field to transform the space into a modern activity complex. This project includes:
✅ Gwendolyn’s Playground – An innovative all-abilities inclusive play space
✅ Sports Complex – Fields, Yoga, Fitness Equipment
✅ Walking Paths & Public Art
✅ Expanded Parking & Family Restrooms
✅ Climate-Resilient Upgrades & Creek Restoration
A Community-Driven Effort — 9 Years in the Making
This visionary project has been powered by unwavering community support and a remarkable public-private partnership:
- $6M in grassroots fundraising — donors, events, and grants (2019–2023)
- $1.5M federal grant — championed by Rep. Salud Carbajal (2022)
- $6M in city funding — approved by Santa Barbara City Council (2023)
- $13M in secured public funds — from a city bond & Measure C sales tax (2024)
- $5M from Ty Warner — closing the final gap (2025)
What’s Next?
🚧 Construction began in June 2025! Opening 2027!!!
🌟 GSF continues to raise funding to establish a long-term endowment fund for inclusive programming, equipment replacement and maintenance—ensuring this playground remains innovative for decades to come.
📢 Join us! Be part of this historic project!
📩 Contact us to learn more. Together, we’re building a more inclusive future, one where every child gets to play.
Founding Partners
We are so grateful for the support of our Founding Partners in this private/public/nonprofit project. Join us in leaving a lasting legacy by building inclusion for all. Recognition of your community investment will be artfully displayed within the playground. Sponsorship plaques and field naming opportunities are limited. Please contact us to get involved or learn more: [email protected] or donate directly here.
OUR VISION
Inclusive, innovative, whimsical and fun, Gwendolyn’s Playground is a place to spark wonder in every age. Our custom, one-of-a-kind multi-story Magical Tree is the centerpiece of this space, filled with art, imaginative play, STEAM interactive experiences, and allowing for the exploration and full accessibility of every visitor. Using Universal Design and with consideration of the many ways we learn and grow, this sensory-rich environment removes the physical and social barriers of today’s typical playground. Here EVERYONE belongs and has opportunities to challenge themselves, play side-by-side, and have fun together. These experiences foster life-long lessons of cooperation, empathy, and kindness.
The vision to build Gwendolyn’s Playground alongside sports fields and accessible pathways and gardens is essential for meeting the needs of all community members and will create a true synergy for community activity. When you include everyone in the community, it becomes a thriving gathering place, bringing people out of the shadows, and making this world a whole lot kinder.
PARK FEATURES TO SPONSOR
Inclusive + Fun
Thoughtful equipment, color, and design invite people of all abilities and ages to play together.
Safe + Accessible
Secure fencing offers fully accessible entrances, and play spaces are free of prohibitive bark or steps.
Innovative + Sensory-rich
Multi-level imaginative play structures break the mold of traditional playgrounds to engage diverse learning styles and ignite all five senses.
Educational + Connecting
A thriving gathering place for a community that provides opportunities for inclusive programs and educational outreach events.
THE STORY BEHIND GWENDOLYN’S PLAYGROUND
Gwendolyn’s Playground was born from the incredible spirit of Gwendolyn Strong, a tenacious Santa Barbara child born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Gwendolyn had a gift for making friends everywhere she went, embracing an inclusive life filled with adventure—attending mainstream public school, dancing hip-hop after school, completing three half marathons, and sharing the wonders of childhood joy with her peers.
But when it came to one of childhood’s most simple yet profound joys—playing on a playground—there were no spaces in the region that accommodated her wheelchair and needs.
Gwendolyn’s Playground changes that. By creating a space where children of all abilities can play side by side, it brings the community together in the most beautiful way. Gwendolyn and her friends proved that friendship knows no limits—and now, neither does play.
THE LOCATION
Gwendolyn’s Playground is an integral component of a re-imagined 10-acre public space, which includes building new year-round tournament-grade sports field, a fitness area, walking paths, picnicking, public art, gardens and more at Dwight Murphy Field. An area one block from East Beach and directly across from the Santa Barbara Zoo, this redevelopment will foster tourism and community engagement, and will be a popular highlight of our beautiful city.
