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Fully accessible amusement park to be constructed in Missouri

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spirit of discovery park

The 60-acre attraction will be the second fully accessible theme park in the US.

Spirit of Discovery Park, an inclusive and accessible theme park for visitors with “mental, physical or intellectual disabilities”, is being developed in Wentzville, Missouri.

The 60-acre attraction will be the second fully accessible theme park in the US. Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas is the world’s first theme park designed and built for people with special needs.

Spirit of Discovery Park is created for visitors “with or without special needs, regardless of age, ability or mental acumen”, the website says.

It will be accessible to guests with “Down’s syndrome, autism, PTSD, any person battling a life-threatening disease and the hearing, visually, mentally and physically impaired”.

Spirit of Discovery Park has submitted an offer on a parcel of land. It has also performed environmental and economic impact studies.

Spirit of Discovery Park

Its next steps include developing 3D renderings and architectural drawings for the city’s approval and launching a fundraising campaign. To date, Spirit of Discovery Park has raised more than $330,000.

The park will provide “those of all abilities and their family members an experience that is equal to that of any other child/person and the experience that child/family may have at a public facility that is not ultra-accessible”.

Construction can begin as soon as the land has been acquired and the site plans are approved. The attraction will take up to three years to build.

Spirit of Discovery Park will feature a playground, greenhouse, splash pads, rides, sensory areas, an arcade and a dog park. Admission for guests with a disability will be free, and accompanying visitors will pay a “nominal fee”.

Elsewhere, Ocean Park’s Water World has become Asia’s first water park to be designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC). Legoland Florida is also the first theme park resort to earn a CAC designation.

It is home to the world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park, which features accessible ride vehicles and attractions.

Images: Spirit of Discovery Park

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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