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Morgan's Wonderland

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Coordinates: 29°32′20″N 98°23′31″W / 29.539°N 98.392°W / 29.539; -98.392
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Morgan's Wonderland
Entrance of Morgan's Wonderland
LocationSan Antonio, Texas, United States
Coordinates29°32′20″N 98°23′31″W / 29.539°N 98.392°W / 29.539; -98.392
StatusOperating
OpenedMarch 3, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-03-03)
SloganWhere everyone can play!
Operating seasonMarch - December
Area25 acres (0.10 km2)[1]
Websitemorganswonderland.com

Morgan's Wonderland is an accessibility-focused theme park in San Antonio, Texas founded in 2010. The park was developed by Gordon Hartman, a former homebuilder from San Antonio. Morgan's Wonderland has had over a net million guests since its opening in 2010.[2] The park features several attractions including rides, playgrounds, gardens, a catch-and-release fishing lake, a special-event center, and 575-seat amphitheater. The park's focus on accessibility makes it free for disabled individuals to attend the park.

History

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Gordon Hartman speaks at TEDx San Antonio in 2021

In 2005, Hartman sold his homebuilding business to establish The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation so he and his wife, Maggie, could aid children and adults with special needs. During a family vacation, their disabled daughter Morgan wanted to play with kids tossing a ball in a hotel swimming pool, but when she approached them, they abruptly took their ball and vanished.[3] "I'll never forget the look of anguish and dismay on Morgan's face, so I decided there had to be a way to bridge the gap of misunderstanding about people with special needs. That incident was the tipping point for Morgan's Wonderland and ultimately Morgan's Inspiration Island," Hartman said.[4]

On March 3, 2010, Morgan's Wonderland opened,[5] with NBA legend David Robinson and actress Eva Longoria as special guests.

Starting in 2012, Toyota partnered with the park as a long-term sponsor.[6]

On June 17, 2017, Morgan's Wonderland unveiled a major addition: the Morgan's Inspiration Island splash park.

In 2020 the park closed after only 11 days into the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] The park reopened for the 2021 season at limited capacity.[8]

In 2022 the park hosted the Special Olympics Texas Summer Games.[9][10]

Events

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The park holds a Snowball Run annually in December, which involves both 5K and 1K walking/running events.[11] The events are open to all ages and abilities.

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Morgan's Inspiration Island

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On June 17, 2017, Morgan's Wonderland unveiled the Morgan's Inspiration Island splash park.[12] The park features waterproof wheelchairs that guests can use.[13] Some parts of the park use warm water, to be accessible to visitors with certain muscular conditions.[13]

Morgan's Sports

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In 2021 Morgan's Sports opened, which includes wheelchair-accessible baseball/softball and football fields, and basketball, pickleball, tennis, and volleyball courts.[14]

Morgan's Camp

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In summer 2022 Morgan's Camp opened, an accessible camping program that can serve about 500 campers of any ability.[15] The San Antonio Food Bank uses the camp's kitchen year-round.[16]

Morgan's MAC

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The Multi-Assistance Center (MAC), which provides medical services to disabled individuals, opened on October 2, 2022.[17] As of its opening, services provided included therapeutic care, dental care, and same day surgery.[17]

Awards and recognition

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Morgan's Wonderland and Morgan's Inspiration Island have been acclaimed for their emphases on inclusion and accessible design.

Awards and Recognition
Year Award
2017 World Waterpark Association – Leading Edge Award[18]
2017 Paralyzed Veterans of America – Barrier-Free America[19]
2017 Amusement Today – Park of the Year[20]
2018 TIME – World's Greatest Places[21]
2018 USA Today – Best New Attraction (Runner-up to Wonders of Wildlife)[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bates, Claire (August 4, 2017). "How one man built a $51m theme park for his daughter". BBC News. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  2. ^ Hartman, Gordon. "You Only Are Disabled in an Environment that Makes You That Way". YouTube. TEDx Talks. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  3. ^ Chen, Eve (May 12, 2024). "See inside the first ultra-accessible theme park 'for everybody': Morgan's Wonderland". USA Today. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  4. ^ Hartman, Gordon (June 2, 2018). "Morgan's Inspiration Island: Promoting Inclusiveness, Understanding, and Soaring Spirits". San Antonio Report. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  5. ^ "American Heart: Creating a Theme Park for Those With Special Needs". ABC News. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  6. ^ "Morgan's Inspiration Island is First-Ever Water Park Designed for Disabled Kids". Swimming World News. July 11, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  7. ^ Merlin, Lalla (September 15, 2021). "Accessibility for all at Morgan's Wonderland". Blooloop. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  8. ^ Salinas, Rebecca (January 15, 2021). "Morgan's Wonderland announces 2021 opening dates for theme park, sports complex". KSAT. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  9. ^ Bird, Tyson (April 28, 2022). "San Antonio's Morgan's Wonderland Caters to Kids with Disabilities". Texas Highways. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  10. ^ Santana, Steven (May 9, 2022). "Special Olympics Texas returns to San Antonio after 2-year hiatus". mySA. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  11. ^ Ramirez, Emily (November 30, 2022). "Morgan's Wonderland to host annual Snowball Run in December". KSAT. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  12. ^ "Everyone Is Welcome at the World's First Accessible Water Park". The Mighty. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Morgan's Inspiration Island is First-Ever Water Park Designed for Disabled Kids". Swimming World News. July 11, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  14. ^ Mendoza, Madalyn (June 29, 2021). "$4 million sports complex by Morgan's Wonderland now open in San Antonio". mySA. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  15. ^ Foster, Jordan (October 12, 2021). "Morgan's Wonderland opens all-inclusive camp; summer camp slated for 2022". kens5.com. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  16. ^ "Welcome To Morgan's Wonderland". Camp Business. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Multi-Assistance Center at Morgan's Wonderland offers one-stop approach to caring for special needs community". kens5.com. September 22, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  18. ^ "Multiple Leading Edge Awards for WhiteWater at the 2017 World Waterpark Association Show". Blooloop. October 19, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  19. ^ Deakin, Liz (May 3, 2018). "Paralyzed Veterans of America Honors San Antonio-based Luna Middleman Architects with 2018 Barrier-Free America Award".
  20. ^ "The Golden Ticket Awards | Presented by Amusement Today". The Golden Ticket Awards | Presented by Amusement Today. September 9, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  21. ^ "The World's 100 Greatest Places of 2018". Time. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  22. ^ "Best New Attraction Winners (2017) | USA TODAY 10Best". 10Best. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
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