It’s going to be a hot one on Saturday, but there’s a pretty cool reason to come out and play.

Gillette Children’s Hospital has organized the first Inclusive Day of Play. It’s a rallying cry to unite kids of all abilities, and give them a chance to play together.

Laurelyn and her family enjoyed the accessible playground in Lincoln Park on Thursday. She has several medical conditions including cerebral palsy and scoliosis. But that doesn’t stop her from loving to spin!

A wheelchair accessible merry-go-round made it easy for her to enjoy going in circles with her sister and other kids. She can also enjoy another spinner that’s installed there.

“We always try and find stuff Laurelyn and her sister can do together,” explained Jerene Larson, their mother. “I love that we have more options everywhere we go.”

A nurse from the Gillette clinic in Duluth who has known Laurelyn for about three years now was able to witness the pure joy. “It’s an honor to see her laughing,” Lisa Piccanatto told us.

“There’s definitely a need, which is why this Inclusive Day of Play got started,” Piccanatto added. “Because Gillette families voiced this as a need and a desire, so we came alongside that, like a grassroots idea.”

There are two playgrounds in the Northland listed on their map. For more info: https://www.inclusivedayofplay.org/

The goal is to get people together and have conversations and call for more accessible play spaces.