8 Flags Playscapes are “accessible and inclusive”

Benjamin Morrison
Vice President
8 Flags Playscapes, Inc.
January 15, 2020

When 8 Flags Playscapes was initially founded just over ten years ago, it did so with the goal of creating the region’s first accessible and inclusive playground here in our community. Building on the success of that endeavor, our organization has continued to partner with the City of Fernandina Beach to develop other inclusive recreational facilities here in Fernandina Beach, including Egans Creek Park as well as features such as the Mobi-Mat beach access systems. Presently, we are excited to be working with the City once again on the first new park to be built here in several decades: Simmons Road Park.

Looking back, it is humbling to consider the countless individuals and organizations here in our community that have dedicated their time, talent, and financial resources to help make our vision become a reality. Few communities that I am aware of have the ability to come together to achieve a common goal better than Fernandina Beach, and we couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it. We are advocates for the benefits of public-private partnerships, and hope that the successes we have achieved help to lay the groundwork for other organizations to see a path to help make their dreams a reality as well. If nothing else, our organization is proof that five concerned citizens with a vision for something better can truly make a difference.

While many people would measure our success based on the beautiful and unique facilities that we have been able to create for this community, it is something far more meaningful that we seek to leave behind as our legacy. When we first started back in 2007, the words “accessible” and “inclusive” were rarely part of the conversation when it came to the development of our parks and playgrounds. Since then, we have worked tirelessly to lead by example and educate our fellow citizens, city staff, as well as our elected officials on why a change in perspective was necessary. So much has been accomplished, yet there is so much more that remains to be done.

This past Saturday, members from my organization were asked to provide a demonstration for several City Commissioners on the current state of accessibility at our playgrounds. A visit to the existing facilities at Main Beach as well as Pirate Playground provided an excellent basis of comparison to better understand the benefits of the inclusive approach 8 Flags Playscapes took in developing the latter. Based on comments from those who participated, it would seem as though this message was well received.

I will be the first to admit that the process by which Simmons Road Park received final approval proved far more controversial and adversarial than I could have ever imagined. However, I strongly believe there is a silver lining to be found. For the first time, discussions about accessibility and inclusiveness have been taking place at City Advisory Board and Commission meetings. Around town, I hear our fellow citizens discussing the need for all of our facilities to not only be accessible, but also inclusive. This is the momentum shift that our organization has been working towards for so long. Now is the time for us to come together and show what the values of our community truly are.

If you, your organization, or your business would like to learn more about what 8 Flags Playscapes represents, please reach out to us. Please contact your elected officials and let them know that you support their efforts to improve accessibility throughout our city. We would like to thank everyone who has helped to make our past endeavors so successful. We haven’t just improved our parks and playgrounds; together, we have changed lives.

Benjamin Morrison

Editor’s Note: Benjamin Morrison is the Vice President of 8 Flags Playscapes, Inc. He serves on the City of Fernandina Beach Historic District Council and the 2020 Charter Review Committee. He has been a resident of Amelia Island for 14 years.

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Trudie richards
Trudie richards (@guest_56476)
4 years ago

Thank you Ben, for explaining your approach. As a proud tree-hugger, I do appreciate what you and 8 Flags hopes to contribute to our lovely island.

Stan Fishburn
Stan Fishburn(@stanfishburnyahoo-com)
4 years ago

Way to go Benjamin. You and your team are the best. I am so proud of what you’ve accomplished and that the Rotary Club of Amelia Island Sunrise was a part of the “village” that created Egan’s Creek Park.

Kevin Foushee
Kevin Foushee (@guest_56482)
4 years ago

This is what can happen when people open their minds and hearts. Proud to be a resident of a community that’s working to make Fernandina Beach even more special for all that call it home!

Marlene Chapman
Marlene Chapman(@crew2120)
4 years ago

Benjamin, a perfect explanation of what has gone into what 8 Flags does and and what you all do extremely well! Inclusive and accessible parks, like Simmons Road Park, Pirates Playground and Egans Creek Park are what we need and what the community wants. The pride in your work and creativity shows and will be enjoyed by so many! Thank you!

Betsie Huben
Betsie Huben(@betsie-huben)
4 years ago

The “terrible, no good, very bad” part of this story is that the same $400,000.00 dollars of city impact fee monies that are now being directed to tearing up six pristine acres of wetlands/wildlife habitat for a new park (that is NOTHING like the park originally proposed when first voted on) at Simmons Road can and should go a long way to enhancing and increasing the accessibility of ALL our existing city parks. At a minimum the funds should be divided up with a modest portion for a Simmons Road Park plan that respects nature and follows the original intent and design. The bulk of the funds should go to sharing the bounty and spreading the joy! The good news is – it’s not too late! No trees have been cut. Equipment that was ordered without approvals can be utilized in any of the parks. But – and this is a big one – in order to make it happen, one of the city commissioners who voted “for” Simmons Road Park needs to boldly step up and put this back on the agenda at FBCC. Having ignored the request of own their advisory board previously, which one of those 3 commissioner has the courage to put the brakes on in this new year and take a new look at an alternative? Especially an alternative that can benefit folks attempting to enjoy any of the existing parks throughout our fair city by making them ALL as inclusive and accessible as possible. When you drill it down, wasn’t that the real goal for all of this? #agirlcandream

Sonny Bennett
Sonny Bennett (@guest_56498)
4 years ago

I have not heard anyone address security in avery wooded area. This should be a concern on a fast Simmons rd. How will this be addressed?