Wow! Imagine  a Family Fun Park specifically designed for guests with special needs?  Accessible and geared to all? Sound wonderful? It is, it’s true and the countdown to it’s opening in San Antonio has begun. 

Soft Opening – beginning in February 2010! Visit morganswondeland.com for more details.

An estimated 41.2 million Americans have some type of disability. There are 3.1 million disabled individuals in Texas, with an estimated 225,000 Bexar County residents and 186,000 residents in the San Antonio metro area.

The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation believes that a real need exists to create a special place for special friends . . . to provide an oasis for those needing asafe place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Millions of children and adults who suffer from cognitive and physical special needs generally do not have access to facilities specifically established to assist them in enjoying outdoor activities.  Currently, less than 10% of those with special needs participate in daily outdoor recreation. The Morgan’s Wonderland story began with a desire to re-imagine the possibilities of what an inclusive park could be . . . if everyone were free to soar. The creation of this new 25 acre special needs park will serve as a haven not only for those with special needs, but also for their families, caregivers and invited friends. 

In 2007, Sports Outdoor And Recreation (SOAR) was created as a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization to A) raise the funds necessary to create the park and B) to insure that the park is professionally managed and maintained.  The SOAR Board of Directors chose to develop this one-of-a-kind park on the former site of the Longhorn Quarry in San Antonio, Texas.  To encourage the idea of inclusive recreation where individuals of all abilities can play side by side, Morgan’s Wonderland will be part of a larger 106 acre sports complex that will feature 14 fully lit, tournament quality soccer fields. In an exciting collaboration with SOAR, the North East Independent School District (NEISD) is also building their new 11,000 seat stadium, baseball complex and track & field facilities directly adjacent to the park. The construction of Morgan’s Wonderland and the soccer complex is underway and will be open for fun, friendship and new experiences in early 2010.

The funding for Morgan’s Wonderland began with an initial $1,000,000 donation from Gordon and Maggie Hartman inspired by the love of their daughter Morgan.  The park’s fundraising campaign has been bolstered by financial commitments from the City of San Antonio ($7,250,000), Bexar County ($5,000,000) and the State of Texas ($5,500,000). That total of $17.75 million, along with up to $10 million of additional funds to be raised from local foundations, corporations and individuals, will be used to complete the development of the park.

Upon completion, Morgan’s Wonderland will be the largest park of its kind in the world specifically designed for the recreation and enjoyment of individuals with special needs. Our vision for Morgan’s Wonderland is to play an instrumental role in helping to establish more Ultra Accessible Family Fun Parks throughout the country, thus establishing San Antonio as a national leader in the promotion of family-oriented outdoor activity and fun for these beloved members of our community.  Thank you again for helping us make this dream a reality and for caring enough to make a difference and change lives . . . one special friend at a time.

 

The Inspiration:

Anyone who comes in contact with Morgan Hartman never forgets the meeting.  She brings smiles, hugs and unconditional love to everyone she encounters.  When you interact with Morgan, what you see and hear is truly from her heart. There are no filters or barriers to Morgan’s expressions and her genuine desire to be your true friend.
 
Morgan is very outgoing yet shy about certain things.  She recognizes her special needs and at times wishes she “were another kid,” but even so, she never forgets to be kind, thoughtful and witty…something we all wish we could achieve more often.  She embraces life not truly understanding every detail of that which surrounds her, but has a keen eye and ear for the little details many of us take for granted or never pay attention to.

She is a typical teenager who enjoys her music, videos and her dog and cat.  Morgan has had to deal with some physical challenges in her life, but she has overcome them beyond all expectations because of her positive attitude and perseverance.  

Photo by Lisa Krantz. Copyright 2009 San Antonio Express-News

While recuperating on a ventilator in ICU after an extremely complicated surgery, Morgan still made sure all around her were comforted whether through her unforgettable smile 
or an occasional thumbs up to let everyone know she was alright.  

 

Morgan’s boundless love and ability to “soar” above her challenges were the true inspiration for this amazing park.  Morgan’s desire to make everyone around her happy will be magnified and expanded by the worldwide appeal of this park.  That happiness will spread to all those who have special needs, their families, caregivers and those loving friends who volunteer their time to help ensure the success of Morgan’s Wonderland.  It is Morgan’s fervent hope that everyone with special needs— young and old, healthy or ailing, introspective or outgoing—will be touched in a very special way by this park.  An oasis of friendship . . . a shrine of inclusion . . . an unforgettable wonderland . . . Morgan’s Wonderland!