Concord, NH – The City of Concord celebrated the grand opening of the Monkey Around playground at White Park on friday, Oct. 17, 2025, offering a fully inclusive play space for children of all abilities.The new playground features structures designed for accessibility, allowing children with physical limitations to participate alongside their peers.
The Monkey Around playground addresses a critical need for universally accessible recreational spaces in the Concord community. For families like the Lafonds, whose nearly two-year-old daughter Carly has dwarfism, the playground’s lower-to-the-ground structures provide a safe and engaging environment. “It feels really great,” said Ben Lafond, Carly’s father. “Everybody’s had a lot of anticipation,a lot of build-up,and it really seems to pay off.” The playground represents a significant step toward ensuring all children have equal opportunities for play and social interaction.
The playground’s design prioritizes inclusivity, offering features that cater to a wide range of physical and developmental needs.Ben Lafond noted the peace of mind the playground provides, knowing carly can play without the risk of injury from falls. City officials hope Monkey Around will become a central hub for community building, welcoming families from Concord and beyond.
While the new playground is a major advancement, advocates emphasize that accessibility improvements are still needed throughout Concord. Kara Guyer highlighted ongoing challenges with accessible parking, notably for families using larger vehicles like transit vans. “We have a transit van, so it’s huge and the ramp goes out the back, so you have to make sure you find a parallel parking spot where no one can park behind you, but sometimes people still do,” she said.
According to project leaders, the playground is intended to be more than just a recreational facility. “It’s not just here for the community, but it’s a vehicle to build community,” said Schuh, expressing hope that Monkey Around will foster a sense of belonging for all children. The opening marks a milestone in concord’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all residents.
