Inclusive Playgrounds in St George Celebrates 10 Years of Play |
Thunder Junction All Abilities Park unveils Thunder Junction Phase II |
For a decade, Thunder Junction All Abilities Park has given St. George families something every child deserves: a place to play together.
A groundbreaking ceremony will introduce Thunder Junction Phase II, a 2.5-acre expansion designed to offer more ways for children of different abilities to join in. The new expansion will be completed in 8 months.
The new area will shift from dinosaurs to an Ice Age theme, with additional equipment, rides and play features planned. Plans also call for another train stop, a practical addition for families navigating the park with mobility needs or young children.
It is a meaningful next step for a park built around inclusion rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought.
For parents, that difference can mean less time working around barriers and more time watching children explore alongside friends and siblings.
That sense of belonging is worth celebrating, even as the community looks ahead to what the expansion could bring.
Anniversary guests can ride the park’s C.P. Huntington train for free, a change from the usual $2-per-person fare. Community resource booths will also connect visitors with organizations serving people with disabilities.
Those conversations belong at this celebration: inclusive playgrounds matter most when families can also find support beyond the play area.
Local businesses and individuals interested in supporting the next phase will have an opportunity to learn about sponsorship plans.
At 1851 South Dixie Drive, the park remains free to enter year-round, making it an accessible outing for St. George households. The anniversary offers neighbors a chance to enjoy what is already there and see how Thunder Junction plans to grow. |
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Nice to see local businesses getting a chance to sponsor this. Community funded parks tend to last longer.
Tom FifeAgreed. When the community has a stake in it people actually care about keeping it up. Better than waiting on a budget line item from the city every year.
The dinosaur area is my kids favorite part so I hope they are not replacing it. Is Phase II a separate section?
Free entry year round and now free train rides for the anniversary. Hard to beat that for a family outing.
My son is autistic and the sensory friendly design here actually makes a difference. Not every park thinks about that stuff.
Tammy OlsenThank you for sharing that. My nephew is the same way and I always wondered if the design was intentional or just luck. Good to hear it actually works for families like yours.
Good park but parking on busy days is rough. Hope they plan for more spots with this expansion.
We drove up from Washington City last year just for this park. Worth every minute of the drive.
Rachel V.We do the same trip! Totally worth it. My kids ask to go back every few months.
2.5 acres is a solid expansion. Hope the city keeps the same quality as the original section.
Would love to know which organizations will have booths there. That info would be really helpful for our family.
Been living here 15 years and honestly Thunder Junction is one of the things St. George gets right.
A second train stop is such a smart idea. Getting across the park with a stroller and a wheelchair at the same time is no joke.
Cool but when does Phase II actually open? The article just says groundbreaking. Could be years away.
jason_stgYeah I was wondering the same thing. Groundbreakings can be exciting but the actual build sometimes takes two or three years. Hopefully they have funding lined up already.
My daughter has cerebral palsy and this park is one of the few places she can actually play with her brother without us having to constantly help her around stuff. Phase II cannot come soon enough.
Sandra P.This made me tear up a little. My niece has similar challenges and finding a park where kids can just play together without a bunch of barriers is so rare. Really glad this place exists.
Free train rides on the anniversary is a nice touch. That $2 adds up quick with a big family.
Dave RollinsRight, with four kids that $2 adds up to $8 every single time. Free ride day is a big deal for us.
The Ice Age theme sounds so fun. My kids are going to lose their minds over this.
TylerMom2kidsHa same, my daughter is already obsessed with mammoths so this is going to be a whole thing at our house.
We take our grandson there every summer. Best park in St. George by far.
Brenda K.Same here, we make it a summer tradition. My kids always ask about the train first thing when we pull into the parking lot.