Morgan’s Inspiration Island is run by The Gordan Hartman Family Foundation, a non-profit organisation founded in 2005 to establish a leisure business that could focus on including less able individuals. This was inspired by Gordon's daughter, Morgan, who suffers with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Consulting the experts
To aid in the planning and construction of the Inspiration Island, the Foundation collaborated with special needs specialists, therapists, carers and parents as well as those with disabilities. Local doctors and waterpark consultants from Texas and its neighbouring states, and even from Canada, were consulted.
A focus on inclusivity
Hartman stresses that both Morgan’s Wonderland (which was built first) and Inspiration Island are not parks specifically for individuals with physical and mental disabilities, but rather parks that focus entirely on inclusivity. This means that, in theory, any individual should be able to enjoy the splash pads and a river boat adventure ride in Inspiration Island. This takes guests through a simulated jungle environment complete with animal sound effects, regardless of their height, weight, age or any disability they may have. One splash pad, the Rainbow Reef, offers a warm-water alternative for visitors who dislike or are physically unable to enter cold water.
Accessibility
Hartman has stated that a guest with any disability should still be able to enjoy Inspiration Island, including those with sensory impairments and even guests who require ventilators.
There are seven wheelchair-accessible changing rooms, two of which come equipped with Hoyer lifts.
There are three kinds of waterproof wheelchair available for free on a first-come, first-serve basis. All wheelchairs are colour-coded by size to ease assignment to guests.
There is a basic push-stroller model, a manual self-propelled model for guests who do not require continual assistance and the park’s unique PneuChairs. Developed in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh, these utilise compressed air to power movement while remaining entirely waterproof. A very limited number of these are currently available, as they are still undergoing improvements as part of the prototyping phase.
There are complimentary waterproof nappies available and also dedicated areas for service animals to ensure that any individual with special needs feels welcome at the park.
In order to further encourage inclusivity, park admission for guests with special needs is free and the Foundation accepts applications for ticket donations to aid in fundraising events.
The Park's design
Five splash pads compose the bulk of the park, with waterfalls, jets, cannons, and paddling pools amongst other attractions. There are no swimmable pool areas and as such the park does not have on-duty lifeguards; however, attendants are present to provide assistance and enforce the park rules. A first-aid station placed near the entrance of the park ensures that any minor injuries can be addressed quickly and on-site.
In addition to the splash pad areas and the river boat ride, the Inspiration Island also houses two food outlets, a gift and swimming gear shop, panoramic viewing deck and a seven-story lighthouse with a revolving beacon that serves as the focal point of the park, easily visible from nearby main roads. A large pirate ship complete with accessible ramp and a giant tipping bucket adorns the central splash pad, Shipwreck Cove. An air-conditioned private function room and nine cabanas overlooking the splash pads are available for rent.
Conserving water
Water conservation is a key goal of the project. With close to 30,000 gallons of water used across the park in the various play elements, the need for continual filtration and cycling is constant. Fifteen pumps capable of shifting a maximum total of 9,600 gallons per minute keep water circulating through the park, and large concrete tanks underneath the park store water safely and cleanly outside of park operating months. Water used in the splash pads is chlorinated to the Texas Department of Health’s standards in order to maintain a pH of between 7.2 and 7.8.
High hopes
Morgan’s Wonderland is a huge commercial and social success, currently rated as one of the top 25 theme parks in the US on TripAdvisor. It has produced sufficient revenue to fund multiple expansions including the Academy at Wonderland, a school for special needs children unique in Texas. The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation have high hopes for Morgan’s Inspiration Island believing it will impact the way in which waterparks and the industry as a whole perceive and include disabled customers.
