Families and people of all abilities came out to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new kind of play at Rotary Park late last week.

Owen’s Playground at Rotary Park will offer multi-sensory play where children can experience a spectrum of scents, textures, sounds and sights.

The play place was approved by the district and dedicated in memory of Owen Marshall last February.

Owen was 6 years old when he passed away late last year after spending his life with quad-spastic cerebral palsy, cortical visual impairment and epilepsy.

Since his passing, though, his life has served as an inspiration to bridge the gap between children of all abilities.

Owen’s Playground will feature a sensory plant garden, a water and sand play area and adaptive play equipment like a swing that can safely secure children of all ages, with or without disabilities.

The first phase of construction began this month.