50 interiors+sources august2017 interiorsandsources.com
Under the blazing sun in San Antonio, Texas, sprouts Morgan’s Inspiration Island, a brand-new, 8-acre water park that welcomes
all ages and abilities to join in the splish-splashy fun. Using inclusive design and ultra-accessibility as motivation, Morgan’s Inspiration
Island is the first water park of its kind.
Universal or inclusion design is designing
in a way that allows everyone to experience
the environment in a similar way. Morgan’s
Inspiration Island opened in Spring 2017 next to
Morgan's Wonderland amusement park, using
the same design concepts. “Like Morgan’s
Wonderland, Morgan’s Inspiration Island is not
a special-needs park; it’s a park of inclusion,”
said Gordon Hartman, founder of The Gordon
Hartman Family Foundation, which supports
programs, projects, and collaborative efforts of
area non-profit organizations that provide direct
services for individuals with cognitive and
physical disabilities, with a particular focus on
serving children’s needs. The water park is
designed so that all children, no matter their
abilities, can play with the attractions and, more
importantly, with other children.
Just like Morgan’s Wonderland, at
Morgan’s Inspiration Island every element is
wheelchair-accessible. Water park features
include a seven-story lighthouse, the River Boat
Adventure, Rainbow Reef, Shipwreck Island,
and Hang 10 Harbor, where everyone can
experience raintrees, pools, geysers, water
cannons, and tipping buckets.
Various design aspects were kept in mind
when conceptualizing the park. For example,
water pressure and temperature differ
throughout the site so that all can enjoy the
water. Rainbow Reef, a large splash pad
with water-squirting sea creatures, has
heated water so that those with sensitivity to
cold can still enjoy the park. Another unique
element is the River Boat Ride where the
loading dock allows every guest to board the
boat, whether in a wheelchair, with a walker,
or by walking without aid. These thoughtful
design elements allow all visitors to enjoy and
experience the environment without feeling
different or excluded.
Hannah Viparina is a graduate student at
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD),
studying Interior Design. She received her
B.F.A. from Marywood University in Scranton,
Pa. Viparina was one of the 2017 winners of
i+s’ I Like Design competition, and is currently
interning at Michael Graves Architecture &
Design as part of her award.
By Hannah Viparina | Photography by Robin Jerstad/Jerstad Photographics
As designers we have the ability to
shape a user’s experience and affect
how they use, feel, and act within a
space. With this in mind, creator and
designer of Morgan’s Inspiration
Island Tracie Ochoa challenges other
designers “to make the accessible
features of your design be a visual,
aesthetic enhancement, rather than
creating something utilitarian.”
Rather than creating a separate or
different experience for those with
different abilities, instead create
certain key features that all can
access easily. These exciting and
interesting elements will draw
attention; when everyone is able
to use them together—that’s when
inclusive design is its strongest.
Morgan’s
Inspiration
Island
Morgan’s Inspiration Island is
designed so that all children,
no matter their abilities, can
experience the attractions and
play with others. Every element
is wheelchair-accessible.
