Morgan’s Wonderland Reflection

RECTH 4300- Recreational Therapy for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

By Sage Smith Jones

Prepared for Dr. Steven Bell

10/8/2020
 In a wonderful presentation Brooke Matula explained the incredible mission of Morgan’s

Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas. This amazing park is a one-of-a-kind place that serves a

variety of individuals. The family friendly and ultra-accessible park was opened in 2010 and

created by “Morgan’s” loving father, Gordon Hartman, who wanted to give her the same

opportunities as everyone else.

Morgan’s Wonderland was the first part of many that have been and will be established.

This main park has many attractions and entertainment, which include a carousel and a Ferris

wheel. Hartman wanted to create a place that his daughter Morgan could experience

opportunities that she sometimes could not. Morgan has some developmental and cognitive

disabilities that keep her from some aspects of play. His main goal is to bridge the gap of

misunderstandings with those with disabilities and those who do not. He has made his park fully

accessible to everyone. Morgan’s Wonderland has coined the term “ultra-accessible” to mean

that literally everyone can experience something. The park has found a way to normalize these

experiences and has made every aspect wheelchair accessible.

Hartman has furthered his creations and expanded the park. These many new features

include the accessible splash park known as Morgan’s Inspiration Island, Morgan’s wonderland

sports, Morgan’s wonderland camp, and the Multi-Assistance center at Morgan’s Wonderland

(The MAC). Each of these facilities offer incredible opportunities for those with disabilities as

well as those without. The water side of the park include fun splash pads with accommodations

for all. It even includes a wheelchair valet where individuals who do not want to ruin their own

wheelchairs can trade out for a waterproof one while playing. The sports center, located near the

other park, offers recreation and fun for all ages and abilities along with STRAPS (South Texas

regional adaptive and para sports). Morgan’s wonderland camp give individuals with cognitive
and developmental challenges the opportunity to experience camp activities alongside guests

without disabilities. Lastly, Morgan’s wonderland is preparing to open The MAC which provides

understanding wellness care for children and adults with special needs all in one location.

Brooke Matula is a recreational therapist that works with this incredibly special park. She

has been there for about 7 years and has had many opportunities to work with individuals with

disabilities. Matula has been a coach for STRAPS and is now the sports director at the sports

center. She is also able to work on the teams that create and apply the unique ultra-accessible

equipment. Morgan’s wonderland needs a lot of different professions to assist in making it ultra-

accessible and fun. As a recreational therapist, Matula’s job is to help individuals with

disabilities experience leisure as independently as possible. Her help has been needed especially

in the sport center to help individuals better participate, and her knowledge is important with the

planning of ultra-accessible functions.

Morgan’s wonderland is a wonderful place for people of all kinds of abilities to go and

have fun. This park has given individuals the chance to experience things that they have not

before. In her presentation, Matula mentioned stories of people who had never been on a swing

in their life because they were not able to get on one. Since the park has wheelchair accessible

swings these individuals are able to have that sensation. What is most interesting about this park

is their modo, “Together, we ARE making a difference!”. This stood out to me because it has

been said that “we can make a difference”, but it is incredible to see the Morgan’s Wonderland

actually is making a difference. This can be seen in its many features and with the individual’s

life’s that are being impacted. The mission of inclusion is truly being fulfilled as this ultra-

accessible park is used by all kinds of people from across the globe.
 In this one-of-a-kind park, everyone is included. Morgan’s Wonderland has become

world renowned and continues to grow. It started as a single park but has expanded to include

many features. As Morgan’s Wonderland grows, it is able to more fully complete its mission of

inclusion. It started as a way for Morgan to be able to play and have fun, and it has become a

place for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities to experience opportunities that

they have not before. The magic of this park and the other subsequent facilities is that everyone

can enjoy them together whether they have special needs or not. By normalizing activities and

making everything ultra-accessible with the help of many professions, including recreational

therapy, all individuals can have fun at Morgan’s Wonderland.