Planning and Design

​

Will the building be in the same location or a different one? 

The project will be at the same site as the existing Carousel House. The building's footprint will be responsive to the needs of the community and what the site allows.

 

What type of construction will be used for the facility?

The planned facility is a steel-frame and masonry building, not modular construction.

​

Does the plan include additional parking areas in addition to ADA-accessible parking?

The site plan proposes a total of 60 parking spaces, including 20 ADA-accessible parking spaces. Nine (9) of these are ADA-accessible van spaces. Four spaces (1 of which is ADA-accessible) will have electric vehicle charging stations. This is a substantial increase from the 25 spots that were available at the former Carousel House facility.

​

What is planned for the Farm currently located on the site?

The Farm will be relocated to another location that will be determined in the near future.

​

Will there still be a walking space or outdoor walking track?

While there is no outdoor walking track, the new gymnasium includes a wheelchair-friendly fitness loop for walking and exercise.

​

How many total restrooms will be available in the pool area?

There will be a total of 8 restrooms in the pool area. This includes 2 ADA-accessible family restrooms (gender-neutral) complete with showers and adult-sized changing tables as well as 1 non-ADA family restroom (gender-neutral). The pool locker rooms will feature 2 toilet stalls in the Men's Room (including one that is ADA-accessible) and 3 toilet stalls in the Women's Room (including one that is ADA-accessible).

​

Why were stainless steel slides chosen for the playground?  

Stainless steel slides are standard in the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation system. The slides are safe and planned for the north side of the playground where large trees will provide shade.

​

What is the total project budget?

The total estimated project budget for Carousel House is $44 million.

​

​

Safety and Accessibility

​

What security features are included in the project?

Security cameras are located throughout the facility as well as outdoors. There will also be fencing around the playground and parking lot.

​

How does the design address traffic safety and visibility around the facility?

The plan is designed to meet the safety and visibility requirements of the Philadelphia Streets Department.

​​​

Will I be able to access the Carousel House when events are happening at The Mann Center?

Yes. The Mann Center is on the west side of Belmont Avenue while the Carousel House is on the east side of the street. The entrance to the Carousel House is located off of the Avenue of the Republic.

​

How will fitness equipment support individuals who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices?

The proposed fitness equipment feature a variety of options, several of which are adaptive or allow for accessible use.

​

How has seating and table design been considered to support wheelchair users and individuals with mobility needs?

There are a diversity of seating options proposed throughout the facility (both indoors and outdoors) that allow for wheelchair transfer and/or companion seating. In addition, most of the proposed furniture is at a height accessible for wheelchair users. 

​​

What accessibility features will support individuals who need assistance using the pool or other pool amenities?

The activity pool is a zero-entry pool with a gentle slope from the pool deck into the water. Additionally, each pool will include a lift for safe transfer. 

​

Are the swings or equipment on the new playground wheelchair-accessible?

Yes. The Inclusive Orbit can be accessed while using a wheelchair. Other pieces of equipment like the Orb Rocker have a transfer platform or are at an appropriate height for someone to self-transfer. A wheelchair user could also possibly self-transfer onto the swings, although this may be more challenging because the swings move easily.

​​

In what ways will adults be able to use the playground?

Play equipment such as the swings, hill slide, Inclusive Orbit, Orb Rocker, Level X Extreme, Nido Spinner, and Roller Table can accommodate the height and weight of an average-sized adult.

​

What spaces are included to support individuals with autism or sensory needs?

The entire facility will be inclusive and feature two sensory rooms and tactile flooring. Outdoor playground amenities also include tactile elements, a serenity spot, and spinners that can help address sensory needs.

​​​

​​

Programming and Operations

 

​Who will provide programming at the facility?

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) facility staff will offer programming for individuals with disabilities. Opportunities also exist for partners with special expertise to support the Carousel House.

​​

How will the new facility support individuals with disabilities and create opportunities for inclusive programming?

The new and improved facility will offer inclusive and fully-accessible spaces, creating opportunities for a wide range of programs to meet the needs of all interested participants. Some examples include: ceramics, special population basketball, arts and crafts, social groups for adults with intellectual disabilities, social groups for adults with disabilities, social dances, music therapy, day camp, and sports camp.

​​​

How will the indoor walking loop function alongside other gymnasium activities?

Programming will be managed by PPR staff. They will work to ensure safe and accessible program schedules based on the needs of site users, including coordinating activities taking place on the walking loop and basketball courts.​

​

Will community organizations and neighbors be able to reserve space in the facility?

Yes. Space will be available to reserve through PPR’s standard permitting process. PPR requests permit fees for the use of their sites.

​

Where can people with disabilities access recreation programs during the Rebuild process?

Erica Young from Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) is supporting the Carousel House programs that have been temporarily relocated to Gustine Recreation Center and is welcoming Carousel House participants into this space. Gustine Recreation Center (4868 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19129) is a wheelchair-accessible site. PPR is also working to increase the amount of inclusive programming across the city in different rec centers. Please call your local rec center to discuss opportunities. To receive information about adaptive and inclusive recreation programs,

you can also sign up for the PPR newsletter.

​​

​

Other

​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Would it be possible during the construction phase to have an accessible path/verbal describers so the community can experience the build in progress?

During the construction phase, Rebuild will continue to update the community about the progress of the site by sharing photos, videos, and reports. Due to safety concerns, we cannot take participants onto an active construction site. At the ribbon-cutting, participants will be able to tour the completed indoor and outdoor spaces. We will ensure this event has an accessible pathway and verbal describers, as well as any other accommodations needed for all community members to fully participate. ​​

​​​​​

Is PPR taking steps to hire people from the disability community? 

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) launched its Inclusion Ambassador program in 2021 and has hired young adults with disabilities to serve as recreation center staff. They are responsible for greeting participants, running activities, and supporting other duties. PPR has also hired a person with lived experience in its Strategy and Engagement division. PPR looks forward to expanding its Inclusion Ambassador program in the future.

​​​​​

​

Last Updated: April 2026