The Peyton Parker Lane Playground Allows for All-Inclusive Play

York County, Nebraska, is home to an accessible playground for people with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities. The 22,000-square-foot playground opened in the Spring of 2023 after a community effort to raise $1.2 million over less than three years.

“As a community, we wanted a playground where kids & adults with special needs could play alongside their peers,” says April McDaniel, Peyton Parker Lane Playground Committee member and Lane’s mom. “Everything on this playground can be enjoyed by someone with a disability or who is able-bodied.”

The Peyton Parker Lane Playground is named after Peyton and Parker Hoffman, brothers with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, sons of Jule & Chad Hoffman, and Lane McDaniel, April & Brian McDaniel’s son who lived with a meningitis-caused brain injury. All three children passed away before reaching adulthood. The Hoffmans met the McDaniels through Misty Brouillette, a mutual friend. Together, along with other community members, they found a shared vision for an accessible play environment in York County.  

The Peyton Parker Lane Playground Accommodates All Disabilities

When the Peyton Parker Lane Playground was in development, the Hoffmans and McDaniels wanted to support people with all kinds of disabilities, not just physical ones. The playground comes with quiet areas for kids who may be emotionally overwhelmed, a fence for kids who like to run, and swings made for wheelchairs.

“It’s really for everyone, not just for kids,” says McDaniel. “We find adults with disabilities enjoy the playground just as much as the kids do.”

The playground has ample seating for parents and grandparents to rest while their kids play. It also has accessible toilet facilities that include an adult-size changing table to assist in toileting.

This last part is particularly important to McDaniel. While her family included Lane in as many things as they could, it was hard to travel with him as he grew. Bathroom changing tables are typically designed for babies and usually do not accommodate larger children or adults who require changing.    

The Peyton Parker Lane Playground was designed with all individuals of all abilities in mind, allowing everyone to play together.

The Playground Attracts Visitors From Outside Nebraska

Since its opening, the Peyton Parker Lane Playground has become a popular spot for York County families, while also attracting visitors from across Nebraska and surrounding states. People travel to the playground from Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and others so their children can feel like kids and use a playground like their able-bodied peers.

The playground has become a stopping point for families driving to Children's Nebraska in Omaha. The picnic benches provide space to eat lunch, allowing both kids and adults to enjoy a break from the highway through play.

McDaniel also highlights the value of the playground’s location next to the York Ballpark Complex and Aquatic Center. Kids with disabilities often spend hours sitting and watching their siblings participate in sports tournaments and swimming. The playground offers a safe place for them to have fun while their siblings compete or play together on a break from the ballpark and swimming action.

“It’s a great place to show that York County is welcoming to people with disabilities,” she says. “Able-bodied and disabled kids get to play together and learn from each other.”

The Playground’s Development Was a Community Effort

The Peyton Parker Lane Playground exists due to the passionate efforts of the Hoffmans and McDaniels, as well as the support of numerous York County organizations. Namely, Paul & Alisa Jaekel, who really got the ball rolling by getting them all together. Raising $1.2 million in three years wasn’t easy, but several groups contributed to the project or hosted their own fundraising events.

“There were a lot of partnerships throughout the process, and so many people came forward to help,” says McDaniel. “Kids were bringing us pennies so they could contribute to the playground.” Large donors - personal and corporate in nature were very key to the swift fundraising efforts. The tree at the playground pays tribute to each of these donors.

The playground vision, design, and installation required the help of professionals. Unlimited Play and Crouch Recreation were critical to capturing the vision of the committee, designing and installing. Julie Hoffman worked hand in hand with these organizations to ensure the vision was captured. The York County Development Corporation, York County Visitors Bureau, York Chamber of Commerce, York City Administrators, and Parks & Recreation were also key to the success. Once construction was complete, the playground was given to the City of York, which continues to maintain the structure today.

McDaniel Created Living in the Right Lane

The McDaniel family’s involvement in supporting children and families impacted by disability goes beyond the playground. Following Lane’s death in 2014, the family founded Living in the Right Lane, a 501(c) (3) non-profit that fills the gaps in existing benefit programs for families seeking support for their children with disabilities. Community members nominate families, and once eligibility is determined, they are awarded what they have termed a “Lane Changer.” A “Lane Changer” can be many things. Some examples include support to replace tires worn out from driving to the hospital, equipment not covered by insurance, funds to cover lost income, or simply money for meals or gas while seeking medical treatment.

“Two of our board members are pediatric physical therapists and occupational therapists who help families navigate the medical system,” says McDaniel. “We want to help people realize they can create something beautiful out of their situation.”

In 2006, when the McDaniel’s first learned that Lane would have a lifelong injury, a pediatrician offered advice that stuck with them for nearly two decades. They said, “Don’t let other people tell you what Lane can or cannot do; let him show you what he’s going to do.”

The family included Lane in as many activities as they could and always sought opportunities to let him be a kid. The Peyton Parker Lane Playground and Living in the Right Lane allow families to let their kids with disabilities show what they can do, while reducing the stress and burdens of finding resources and accommodations. They also highlight all the great things that can happen when people come together as a community.  

Find Support and Care in York County

The McDaniels and Hoffmans are wonderful examples of families working together in York County. The Peyton Parker Lane Playground shows how the community works together to meet the needs of residents and make York County a welcoming, inclusive place for people of all abilities.

Learn more about life in York County and the people who live here. There are countless opportunities to learn, grow professionally, and find people with similar interests. See your future here.