Welcome to the future home of the Riverside Park Inclusive Recreation Area, a space where magic, accessibility, and community come together! Envisioned by a dedicated focus group comprising parents, kids, educators, caregivers, and community stakeholders, this dream space is set to be a haven for all, irrespective of ability. Over multiple collaborative meetings starting in August 2023, the group worked alongside Mayor McFarland, Parks and Recreation staff, and the Landscape Architect firm Parkitecture, to plan and design a fully-inclusive recreation area—a first of its kind for Watertown and the surrounding area.

We’ve already taken the first steps toward realizing this dream. Thanks to a generous grant of $10,000 from the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation, we have the initial design and renderings in place, seen in the "Renderings" tab of this website. The proposed budget for the construction of the Riverside Park Inclusive Recreation Area is 1.7 million dollars, all of which we aim to raise through community support and grants.

Donations can also be mailed or dropped off at

City Hall
106 Jones Street
Watertown, WI 53094Senior and Community Center
514 S. First Street
Watertown, WI 53094

The Riverside Park Inclusive Recreation Area is much more than just a playground.With an enchanted forest theme including elements like an ogre bridge, a Riverside Park-inspired footbridge, a ship, musical butterflies and flowers, and a flowing blue “river,” the playground will engage all ages in play, but there are other elements to the space that make it a haven for everyone! A walking path, complete with seating along the way, that is paved, graded, and distance-marked will provide healthy movement opportunity, and a sitting area and shelter with outdoor games for youth and adults will complete the space.

The project will also involve replacing the existing restrooms with four accessible family restrooms, and adding five accessible parking spots.

Inclusive Features:

• Upper Patio area with games and “lounge area” for youth and adults

• Play areas catering to different age groups: toddlers, 2-5 years, 5 and older, and different sensory needs

• Turf and poured surfaces for ease of movement

• Zero entry access (no stairs)

• Quiet spaces

• Secure fence encircling the playground

• Solid surface, graded walking path with distance markers for exercise