Glade Run Lutheran Services will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon Tuesday to open its unique sensory playground designed to meet the needs of autistic children on its campus at 485 W. Beaver St., Zelienople.

With schools out and summer finally upon us, a local nonprofit is making sure children of all backgrounds have a park to play in.

Glade Run Lutheran Services will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon Tuesday for the opening of its unique playground, a recreational facility specially designed to meet the sensory, physical and socialization needs of children with autism.

The playground is located on Glade Run's Zelienople campus at 485 W. Beaver St. and will be free and open to the public.

“It's really cool,” said Sheila Talarico, executive director of the Glade Run Foundation. “It was a wonderful way to repurpose the land.”

The park will be open to the public from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and weekends by reservation. The rest of the time it will be used by the children involved in Glade Run and its programs.

Glade Run hopes the park will become a bridge to the community, Talarico said.

To design the park, Glade Run worked with experts from Oregon to pick the right equipment and designs to optimize the park for children with autism while keeping the park fun and enjoyable.

“To the naked eye, it's not that different,” Talarico said. “It's an inclusive park. Any kid would enjoy it.”

The playground has special equipment to encourage socialization and development of motor skills.

“A lot of the equipment can't be used by yourself, so it encourages kids to cooperate with each other,” Talarico said.

The park also features rounded pathways.

“Children with autism prefer oval paths” Talarico said. “There's also a lot of nature for soothing quiet spaces.”

The park is designed to be a mix of entertaining, soothing and community spaces where families can spend time together and children's needs can be met throughout the day.

“It's a great place for families with children who have autism,” said Talarico. “There are real bathrooms and a pavilion if families want to have picnics.”

The park features benches, picnic areas, water fountains and landscapes, along with ample space for running, exercise, coordination, balance and movement.

“We believe that this innovative sensory playground will be a great benefit for children on the autism spectrum and their families,” said the Rev. Charles Lockwood, president and CEO of Glade Run Lutheran Services.

Everyone is invited to Tuesday's ribbon-cutting, but Glade Run requests that anyone planning on attending RSVP by calling 724-452-4453, Ext. 1615, or emailing contact@gladerun.org.

Light refreshments will be available at the event.

Once the park is open, weekends can be reserved by calling 724-452-4453, Ext. 1236.

WHAT: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Glade Run Lutheran Services' playground designed for children on the autism spectrumWHEN: Noon TuesdayWHERE: Glade Run Lutheran Services campus, 485 W. Beaver St., ZelienopleINFORMATION: If planning to attend, RSVP by calling 724-452-4453, Ext. 1615, or email contact@gladerun.org