Renderings show the planned all-inclusive, sensory-friendly play space at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera. The $8 million project, funded by a gift from Table Mountain Rancheria, is designed to provide accessible play opportunities for children of all abilities. Courtesy of Valley Children's Healthcare/Business Journal composite

Valley Children’s Healthcare broke ground Thursday on a new all-inclusive, sensory-friendly play space in Madera funded by an $8 million gift from Table Mountain Rancheria, creating an outdoor area designed to give children of all abilities opportunities to play while receiving medical care.

Valley Children’s Hospital leaders, medical staff and representatives from the Table Mountain Rancheria tribal council gathered for the groundbreaking, describing the project as an extension of Valley Children’s efforts to care for patients beyond traditional treatment.

The project is intended to give patients and their families a place to spend time together outside the hospital’s clinical environment, with hospital officials emphasizing the role play can have in children’s emotional, social and physical development.

Dr. Paul Levy, medical director of neuropsychology and director of neurodevelopment at Valley Children’s, said illness and hospitalization can take away a child’s sense of control.

Play, he said, can help restore some of it.

“The play structures, such as this, do something traditional clinical space cannot,” Levy said. “It extends the healing environment beyond the walls of the medical buildings, the clinics, the sterile and often scary spaces.”

Levy said play can help children regulate emotions and behavior, improve focus, build confidence and resilience and develop social skills.

 

For hospitalized children and their families, he said the experience can also create positive memories during otherwise difficult times.

“It creates memories that are not entirely defined by the child’s illness,” Levy said.

Table Mountain Rancheria Chairwoman Michelle Heredia-Cordova said the tribe decided to fund the project after Valley Children’s representatives presented the idea to tribal members and explained what an inclusive playground could mean for patients and their families.

“For us, this project was easy to support,” Heredia-Cordova said. “We understand the importance of good medical care, but we also know that healing takes many forms, and for children, one of those forms comes through play.”

Heredia-Cordova said the tribe was also drawn to the project’s focus on accessibility regardless of a child’s abilities.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to play,” she said. “Children should be able to come into this space and see something they can participate in, regardless of their abilities.”

Hospital and medical group Board of Trustees Chair Danielle Parnagian said the space is also expected to benefit parents and siblings, allowing families to share positive experiences during treatment.

William Chaltraw, chief administrative officer for Valley Children’s, said the project reflects the hospital’s focus on family-centered care.

“At Valley Children’s, caring for our patients goes beyond the walls of a hospital room,” Chaltraw said. “And this project creates a space where kids can just be kids.”

Chaltraw said the $8 million investment will strengthen the hospital campus and provide a resource for children and families for generations.