The Friendship Park (Parque de la Amistad) is the first ever inclusive park in the city of Montevideo and in Uruguay with universal accessibility, geared towards the recreation of children, young people and adults. Recreational and educational schemes are used to foster aspects of socialisation, inclusion and learning, which stimulate curiosity, empathy, imagination and creativity. It’s an open space, where people with and without disabilities can play, meet up and enjoy themselves in a friendly and safe  environment. The games are adapted to the functional diversity of visitors in order to maximise independence.

The park currently has a plaza space and a technological space, featuring motor coordination games (twisting, balancing, climbing, jumping), sensory games (touch, hearing, smell and sight) and cooperative games that stimulate the collective experience. The proposals include hammocks, slides, mazes, carousel, waterfall, children’s corner, board games, amphitheatre, photo gallery, relief murals, exercise station, etc. The technological space boasts computers, tablets, audio description programs, and technology-enabled body games, among others.

What’s more, educational, recreational and cultural activities are programmed around the idea of barrier-free play and learning, while training activities are carried out to raise awareness on issues such as accessibility, disability, inclusion and the use of ICT for people with disabilities.

The Friendship Park was launched by the Department of Accessibility for Inclusion of the City Council of Montevideo.