Morgan's Wonderland(a)|摩根仙境乐园

Morgan's Wonderland

by Rebecca A. Fratzke

This amusement park is specifically designed for people with special needs.

Gordon Hartman always knew his daughter Morgan was special, not just because she has special needs but because she has the gift of being a loving and faithful friend. One day in 2006, while his family was staying at a hotel, Hartman watched as some children were happily playing in the swimming pool. Morgan eagerly watched as well. Although Morgan and the children were interested in playing with each other, it just never happened. This experience stuck with Hartman, and he began wishing there were a place where anyone, regardless of ability, age, or health, could come together to play and make friends. Since a place like that didn't exist at the time, Hartman decided it was up to him to create one. That was how Morgan's Wonderland first came into being, but no one could have predicted just how far the dream would take Hartman's family and community.

As a parent of a child with special needs, Hartman understood that Morgan sometimes had difficulty interacting and playing with other children. Researching the topic, he found that most parents of cognitive or physically challenged children had hard times finding ways to enjoy outdoor activities. Amusement parks lured them in but weren't equipped with the right facilities to make the experience as fun or easy as it should be. Knowing his dream could also help other families, Hartman searched for the perfect location and design to bring everything together.

The result is a colorful and ultra-accessible 25-acre park in San Antonio, Texas. Morgan's Wonderland was built on an old quarry and is actually part of a 106-acre sports center that includes a soccer complex. Nearby is the school district's 11,000-seat stadium as well as other sports fields. Hartman's dream grew into a goal shared by the community and admired worldwide.