All-abilities playground being raised in Haverford Twp.

Mention the word playground, and Ann Phillips imagines more than just a good time.

In the maze of tunnels and slides, Phillips sees the tools for acceptance - child to child, ability to disability.

That philosophy led Phillips to spearhead the construction of an all-abilities playground near Harrisburg nearly four years ago.

When she moved back home to Havertown, she grabbed the chance to do it again.

The result is Freedom Playground at Haverford Reserve on the grounds of the old Haverford State Hospital. The playground is under construction this week, going up barn-raising-style with a crew of 650 volunteer residents.

"The theme is Philadelphia Freedom, with the idea that we are setting the kids free to play," said Phillips, 44.

The playground will feature low-hanging monkey bars that all children can reach, as well as higher ones. Wheelchair ramps will lead to the top of the slide. Materials will be latex-free for children with allergies, and a quiet, enclosed place will help children with autism calm down when overstimulated.

The goal is for children with physical and cognitive disabilities and those without them to play side by side. Phillips, a mother who operates two home-based businesses, hopes the effort will inspire other communities to build all-abilities playgrounds.

Led by playground designers Leathers & Associates of Ithaca, N.Y., the volunteers began working Monday at the park, off Darby Creek Road. Construction will continue from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sunday - rain or shine.

The 12,050-square-foot project is part of the transformation of the hospital grounds into 212 acres of trails, sports fields, and a new housing complex.

Haverford Township bought the grounds from the state for $3.5 million, then sold 38 acres to a developer for $17.5 million. The housing complex will include 100 carriage houses and 198 age-restricted condominiums.

The playground sits on 38 acres that township officials dedicated to recreation. Four ball fields are on the property, and a recreation center is planned.

"My hope," said Township Commissioner Mario Oliva, "is that the playground project will bring the community together - that people will take ownership of it, and it will be their playground."

The township has another park area for youngsters with special needs called Merry Place, but it is more park than playground, said Tim Denny, the township's parks and recreation director.

Federal laws require that new and altered play areas be accessible so that people with disabilities can reach the playground and participate in some activities.

Guidelines on the accessibility of individual pieces of equipment vary depending on whether the structure is single and freestanding or a complex of several play components.

"It sounds like [Freedom Playground] is exceeding the minimum," said Dave Yanchulis, an accessibility specialist with the Access Board, the federal agency that created accessibility guidelines for play areas.

A 37-member committee has been working on Freedom Playground for about 18 months. Phillips worked on a similar project when she led the effort to build Possibility Place playground in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County.

So far, projected costs are $363,000. The township donated $100,000, and the committee has raised $161,000 through spaghetti dinners, beef-and-beers, and wine-and-cheese receptions.

The project is short on money and volunteers, Phillips said. After construction is completed, the final step, a special rubber playground surface, won't be poured until an additional $102,000 is raised to pay for it.

At the site this week, volunteers were wielding hammers and operating drills below the new housing development and near new athletic fields.

Christine Tucker, 36, of Haverford, is among the parents who can't wait until the Freedom Playground opens - expected by June.

Her 3-year-old son, Nathan, wears a leg brace and has severe weakness on his right side because a stroke he suffered in the womb damaged the left side of his brain.

Tucker envisions a playground that will boost the confidence of a youngster who wants to do everything his older brother and sister can do.

"It would be nice for them to be able to play with their brother in an environment where there is so much to do that you don't always have to say, 'Be careful' this, 'Stand over there' that, 'Don't fall down,' " Tucker said. "They can just play."