Gardiner Park reopened its first Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant playground back on Aug. 25. Located off of Montauk Highway in West Bay Shore, the park, previously owned by the Gardiner family, features two areas, one for younger children and another for those who are a bit older. The playground is autism and sensory friendly.

Legis. Steve Flotteron was joined by Suffolk County executive Edward Romaine, New York State assemblyman Michael Durso, Legis. Tom Donnelly and Great South Bay YMCA executive director Bob Peterson. Flotteron cut the ribbon, marking the reopening of the inclusive playground. Before its remodeling, the playground was slightly deteriorated.

The aesthetic of the playground features earth-tone colors to provide a relaxed and nature-like look. Other areas in the playground feature brighter and vibrant colors. It’s up to the children to enjoy whichever color catches their eye.

“We wanted to get this right, so we reached out to parents of special-needs children, our local school districts, Good Samaritan University Hospital Pediatric Physicians, local groups such as Sons of Italy, EJ Autism Foundation and The Great South Bay YMCA to determine what needed to be included in the new playground to serve all levels of play,” Flotteron said.

Flotteron also thanked the members of the playground planning committee for its assistance in opening the new playground. The project’s committee included teachers, parents, county officials and community stakeholders. Together, the committee came up with the best plan for the playground to be inclusive, including meeting the needs of children with autism and in wheelchairs.

The county also planned with American Recreational Products, a Ronkonkoma-based playground equipment supplier. The supplier is a representative of BCI Burke, a company that fosters emotional, social and imaginative skill development in children of all abilities. Their playgrounds are known for being inclusive, colorful and promoting fitness-based play.

The project was made possible as Flotteron secured $650,000 in funds from Suffolk County’s capital budget.

One area of the playground features a bright-colored rainbow xylophone and percussion area, where children can hit whichever musical notes they feel like. Another area has a jungle gym-like figure that kids can climb on or sit and relax. On the playground’s younger side, there is a ramp instead of stairs, designed for children to climb up at their own pace, however they’d like.

“We need parks with a little more protection for kids of all abilities, and our playgrounds should be geared to that,” Romaine said.

The playground also has shaded areas featured with a nature-like print.

On the day of its reopening, the playground was already being put to use by local children. Even the slide was tested out by Flotteron. Gardiner Park is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.