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speech therapist, Karena Romstad, Blakemore formed Unlimited
Play, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money,
planning and building accessible
playgrounds where children of all
abilities can have fun together.
Victoria Schmitt Babb, who
joined Unlimited Play in 2004,
described Blakemore as the “mom
on a mission” who helped start an
inclusive playground movement.
“Natalie saw the need and
started it from her kitchen table,”
Schmitt Babb said.
A PLAYGROUND FOR EVERYONE
Unlimited Play has become a fulltime job and passion for Blakemore and Schmitt Babb, who
work together from home to raise
money, design playgrounds, and
spread a message of understanding differences through the universal language of play.
Today the organization has
successfully built three parks in
Missouri, including Zachary’s
Playground in Lake Saint Louis,
Shaw Park Tree Top Playground
in Clayton and Brendan’s Playground in O’Fallon.
Unlimited Play’s next project is
scheduled to be complete this summer in Jaycee Park in St. Charles.
GREATEST PERSON
OF THE WEEK
HUFFINGTON
06.17.12
Two new projects — one in Breese,
Illinois and another in Kansas City
— are also in the works.
Blakemore and Schmitt Babb
say it’s important for people to
understand Unlimited Play playgrounds are not just for children
who struggle with disabilities.
“The whole point is for everyone to play together,” Natalie said.
WORTH THE TRIP
One mother, Kim Gibson, drives
an hour and a half several times
a year to bring her 12-year-old
daughter Gracie, who has Cerebral Palsy, to Zachary’s Playground.
“It empowers her
It empowers
and makes her feel
her and makes
like she’s not just a
her feel like
child in a wheelchair
she’s not just
because she can play
a child in a
with kids who aren’t
wheelchair
in wheelchairs,” Gibbecause she can
son added.
play with kids
She said the playwho aren’t in
ground is well worth
wheelchairs.”
the drive when she
sees her daughter
having fun and interacting with
others in a safe place.
“As a parent, that just makes
you happy. You want the best
for your child and for her to be