A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday for a Joliet park that has received national recognition for providing accessible and inclusive play for all children and families.

Inwood Park, 3200 W. Jefferson St., was designed by Cunningham Recreation to ensure “every element supports meaningful play, social connection and physical activity,” according to Joliet Park District officials.

The layout encourages children and families to “move more, play longer, and engage in healthy, active lifestyles together,” park officials said.

Several state and local elected officials were at the park on Friday for a ceremony to recognize the park receiving the designation of a national demonstration site by the company Playcore and its subsidiary GameTime.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, participants in the park district’s Special Recreation of Joliet and Channahon program were given the opportunity to enjoy the swings, the adaptive swings and the GameTime Challenge Course.

The national designation highlights Inwood Park as a “model for communities seeking to expand equitable access to play,” park officials said.

Inwood Park will serve as a resource for other communities, educators and recreation professionals “seeking to learn from its design and programming,” park officials said.

Bill Tatro, vice president of Joliet Park District Board of Commissioners, told the crowd at Inwood Park on Friday that the board is proud to “open up the largest GameTime inclusive playground” in the state.

“Right here, in one of our busiest parks in the center of Joliet,” Tatro said.

He said the mission of the park district is to provide quality recreational opportunities to the entire community.

“We believe this playground is a great example of our commitment to that mission,” Tatroe said.

The Inwood Park playground features multiple slides, varied climbers and integrated shade to support comfort and usability throughout the day, park officials said.

Gavin Coll, a GameTime representative, said Inwood Park has “very sensory rich” features.

Some of those sensory-friendly features include a “cozy climber” for “retreat and self-regulation,” and a ShadowPlay TriRunner that “blends movement with visual stimulation,” park officials said.

There’s also outdoor musical instruments at the park.

“Music therapy is always something we want to put in an inclusive playground,” Coll said.

Support for the project came from the Healthy Play Initiative, Special Recreation of Joliet and Channahon, and grant funding supported by state Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, and state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet.

Cappel, Manley, Joliet Township Supervisor Cesar Guerrero and several other elected officials joined Brad Staab, the Joliet Park District executive director, and his staff in celebrating Inwood Park.