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The gold shovels flipping up sand in northeast Lincoln’s Mahoney Park on Tuesday were a long time coming — and a testament to the power of moms advocating for their children.

Those community advocates, city officials and supporters who gathered in the old playground Tuesday afternoon celebrated what it will become: Lincoln’s first fully inclusive playground that will be five times the size of the existing space.

“Today’s groundbreaking highlights the city of Lincoln’s commitment to listening to the needs of our residents and to forging innovative community partnerships that meet those needs,” Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said. “This inclusive playground will be a destination where community members of all ages and abilities can play together.”

The residents who stood at the podium began the grassroots effort in 2021, when BriAnna Olson called Cathy Martinez, the director of the Autism Family Network, to see if she could help get an adaptive swing for her son Beckett, who doesn’t speak, has autism and loves the outdoors.

Martinez called City Councilman James Michael Bowers, who convinced his fellow council members to add $100,000 to the budget for adaptive play equipment.

That grew into a commitment of $399,725 from the city, a $399,725 federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and $275,000 in donations to fund the $1.07 million inclusive playground in Mahoney Park — along with a city plan to add inclusive playgrounds and play equipment across the city.

Martinez thanked city officials for listening and working with them, and for the work of members of disability organizations and the community — including kids who donated proceeds from their lemonade stands — for helping make the vision a reality.

“BriAnna, Megan (Misegadis of the Autism Society of Nebraska) and I are just moms, moms of children with special needs” she said. “But the passion and drive of moms to create a place in this world for our children is unmatchable.”

Bowers said what's being created at Mahoney Park is more than just a playground.

“It’s a place where everyone belongs," he said. "An inclusive playground allows kids and families to connect, share and play, no matter their individual needs or ability. It’s a place where our community values of equity, acceptance and friendship come to life.”

The nearly 34,000 square-foot fenced area will include a pathway loop to access different play zones, open green space and sensory gardens. The design includes a centralized shade shelter, drinking fountain, interactive water table, and new play equipment to provide accessible and inclusive play experiences such as swinging, sliding, rocking, climbing, balancing, imaginative play and fitness.

In August, the city installed a portion of the playground equipment formerly located in Mahoney Park in the newly opened Tranquility Park, 45th Street and Colfax Circle. The park is scheduled for completion this fall.

The inclusive playground at Mahoney will be done in the spring or summer of 2025.

“We can’t wait to get started on building this playground," said Lincoln Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross. "For kids, playgrounds are a rare moment of independence, magic and fun. The Mahoney inclusive playground will provide an environment for all children and adults of all abilities to have this experience.”

Also there for the celebration: Former Southeast High School Principal Brent Toalson and his 29-year-old son Alex, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive genetic disease where abnormal genes lead to muscle degeneration,

Twenty-five years ago Toalson led an effort to build Lincoln’s first adaptable and accessible playground in Antelope Park and since that time, he said, there have been huge changes in playground technology that encourage people of all abilities to play together.

The result: the inclusive play at Mahoney — and a commitment by city officials to create an updated inclusive space at Antelope Park.

“So Alex,” he said to his son. “We celebrated your 29th birthday last week. Can you think of a better gift?”

Then the mayor suggested they pick up those gold shovels, which Martinez's 8-year-old grandson Finnley Hall, who has cerebral palsy, thought was a fine idea. So he offered some encouragement to all those adults.

"Let's get digging!"