On Saturday, November 30th, the grand opening of Mitchell’s Landing Playground marked a significant milestone in the San Antonio community. Located at 20202 Hardy Oak, across the street from Los Lomas Elementary, this half-acre, pirate-themed inclusive playground is designed to meet the developmental and accessible needs of families from all walks of life. Within just three days of its opening, the playground had already welcomed over 20,000 visitors, with the opening event attracting more than 2,000 attendees, including local and state leaders.
Mitchell’s Landing is a testament to a vision six years in the making. From its conception to the final build, the nearly $3 million project was brought to life through the collaboration of the Mitchell Chang Foundation, San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department, and San Antonio Public Works. The Mitchell Chang Foundation played a central role by donating the playground equipment, its installation, and half of the safety ground cover. Key community partners like H-E-B, Susan Naylor, and the TND Family Foundation also made significant contributions to the project.
This inclusive playground features four distinct areas of play: the Shipwrecked Pirate Ship, the H-E-B Mermaid Lagoon and Beach, the Abandoned Spanish Mission, and the Marsh Bog. Each of these areas includes free-standing, inclusive equipment tailored to meet different developmental needs and provide accessibility to individuals with disabilities. Mitchell’s Landing is home to several one-of-a-kind custom inclusive features, such as the Hammock Horizontal Climber, the Roller Slide with a Safety Waiting Bench, the H-E-B Exploration Rocks, the Inclusive Pirate Scavenger Hunt, and a Tile Mosaic with a Braille Sonnet. The playground's design was influenced by community input, with a shade cover designed to resemble the ocean, ensuring a cool and inviting atmosphere for all.
The playground was built to honor the memory of three-year-old Mitchell Chang, who tragically drowned at his swim school in 2018. As Michell’s family worked through the grieving process that followed, they knew that helping their oldest son, Evan, understand and navigate the loss of his brother was a very important piece. The building of the playground and the foundation helped his family keep his legacy alive as well as through the grieving process.
Mitchell’s parents, Dr. Marvin and April Chang, wanted to ensure their son’s joyful, adventurous spirit lived on in a positive way. Mitchell was happy and warm. He loved life and aspired to be a pirate, so his parents decided the best way to preserve his memory was by creating an inclusive space where all children, regardless of ability, could play together. Their commitment to building an all-accessible playground stemmed from the recognition that such spaces were sorely lacking in the community. For the Chang family, Mitchell’s Landing was not just about creating a playground; it was about making a lasting impact. The Chang family foundation, through this project, is also committed to promoting water and swim safety education, hoping to prevent other families from experiencing the devastating loss they endured. They are actively working on passing Mitchell’s Bill, which will introduce new safety standards aimed at protecting children in swimming environments.
Mitchell’s Landing is a reflection of a community coming together in the spirit of love and remembrance. It serves as a lasting tribute to a little boy who was full of life, determination, and kindness, and it offers families a space where children of all abilities can come together, learn, and play. With its unique design, inclusivity, and a heartfelt mission, Mitchell’s Landing is not only a playground but also a beautiful legacy in memory of Mitchell Chang.
Mitchell’s Landing is a reflection of a community coming together in love and remembrance.