On a sunny Sunday afternoon in late November, April Chang shed tears of joy, watching kids and adults enjoy San Antonio’s newest public, free, inclusive playground. Chang, her family, and her nonprofit, Mitchell Chang Foundation, have spent the last five years working to make Mitchell’s Landing a reality.
Named after Chang’s son who drowned in 2018 at age 3, the Stone Oak playground is designed to accommodate kids of all abilities.
“Honestly, it's overwhelming in lots of ways. It's overwhelming and there’s happiness. It’s overwhelming and there are emotional tears,” Chang said. “We are so happy to see kids finally on it. That's what it's meant for.”
A small group of loved ones and friends got a sneak peek of Mitchell’s Landing on November 24, and a grand public opening was held November 30 at Classen-Steubing Ranch Park, near Hardy Oak Boulevard and Huebner Road.
The Mitchell Chang Foundation raised more than $2 million and partnered with the city of San Antonio to create Mitchell’s Landing, which April Chang said will meet the needs of local children who have physical or developmental disabilities.
The playground is themed around pirates — a favorite of Mitchell Chang’s — and offers a soft play area, adaptive play equipment, and other features that encourage interactive play. One section of Mitchell’s Landing has a buried treasure chest with a list of missing items that kids must seek and find throughout the playground.
“That actually helps with cognitive development and collaborative play,” Chang said. “Every little thing in here helps with developmental skills in children, and it's so needed. Children with disabilities get to work on these developmental skills.”
Mitchell's Landing makes its pirate obsession known right away.Photo by Edmond Ortiz
Chang hoped to open Mitchell’s Landing in 2023, but her foundation and the city spent as much time as possible with Tennessee playground manufacturer PlayCore to ensure all parties involved got everything right during the construction and installation phases of the project.
Additionally, construction paused this summer while city officials finalized designs for shade covers, which Chang said would be essential during hot, sunny days.
“We can only afford to do this once, so we’d better do it right,” Chang said. “And the city came in wonderfully with this amazing shade cover.”
Mitchell’s Landing got instant praise from families who got to preview the playground. Mindy Foley was there with her husband and three kids. She said she supported the project in different ways, including donating money to the cause.
“It’s just been quite a journey just to see the design and then to see it actually become a reality,” she said.
Alicia Walsh checked out Mitchell’s Landing with her husband and two daughters. She especially likes the inclusive aspect of the playground.
“I think it's so great to allow other kids who may not normally get to play,” she added.
Chang said she hopes families around San Antonio will get to experience Mitchell’s Landing — both a tribute to her late son and a new place for all kids to have fun.
“I noticed even the teenagers here. They love it,” she said.
Kids look at a map at Mitchell's Landing, a new, free, public playground for kids of all abilities.
