Patch Reef Park All-Inclusive Playground To Open With Ribbon Cutting

Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District Commissioners invite the Boca Raton community and members of the media to join them on May 22 at 3 p.m. at Patch Reef  Park for the ribbon cutting ceremony that officially opens South Florida's newest all-inclusive playground.

Local dignitaries and the Ogman family, whose special needs son, Jordan, inspired the playground's creation, will be in attendance on that Thursday afternoon for the ceremony and playground opening.

In 2024 the Ogman family approached District Commissioners about creating a playground more accessible for their son Jordan and other children like him. Moved by Jordan's plight, Commissioners voted to reconfigure the Pirates Cove playground at Patch Reef – one of Jordan's favorite spots – into a playground where special needs children can play side-by-side with children of all abilities.

The new playground features a wheelchair-compatible swing set and slides mounted on grassy hills rather than ladders to afford easier access for children of all abilities. The previous splash pad received a makeover, adding new interactive elements. Climbing structures, swings and slides now have softer artificial turf underneath, along with shade structures for year-round comfort.

Those and other innovative features ensure accessibility and inclusivity, offering a welcoming and engaging space for children and families in the Boca Raton community. 

For parents, additional benches afford better, shaded, sight lines for monitoring their child's play. There are completely new picnic areas, restroom facilities and additional ADA parking.

A fence surrounds the entire inclusive playground area to keep curious children from wandering unsupervised into different areas of the park.

Nearly all the park's natural features, including grasses and trees, remain from the previous layout. 

Patch Reef Park's new all-inclusive playground is located at the west end of the park.