Dad Builds Themepark For Daughter And Makes A 'Big Difference' For Kids With Disabilities

Jun 07, 2022 by apost team

Everyone wants to feel welcomed wherever they go and feel like they belong. Unfortunately, there are many people in the world that feel left out due to outside circumstances or characteristics about themselves. This was the case for Morgan Hartman, who is on the autism spectrum.

Gordon Hartman, Morgan’s father, wanted to do something to help his daughter feel more included. A father’s love knows no bounds, and Gordon definitely proved this when he built his daughter her very own amusement park. The loving father will surely never forget the fateful day that he was finally able to watch his daughter feel like she truly belonged.

After searching within the United States and even looking internationally, Gordon couldn’t find an amusement park that seemed to be completely inclusive for people from all walks of life, especially for people with disabilities. On top of that, Morgan had previously been having trouble making friends and fitting in with her fellow peers at a local public swimming pool. 

These were just some of the big inspirations for Gordon when it came time to build his then-12-year-old daughter the amusement park of her dreams. The idea first originated back in 2006, and in April 2010, Gordon completed what he set out to accomplish.

Now, Morgan’s Wonderland, located in San Antonio, Texas, is a safe and fun place for kids and adults from all walks of life. It’s an amusement park where everyone who enters can fully enjoy themselves and meet new people. Read on to find out more about this inspiring story.

According to the official Morgan’s Wonderland website, Gordon’s idea to create the amusement park stemmed from seeing how other kids acted around his daughter, who is on the autism spectrum. Morgan was 12 years old at the time and had a challenging time making connections with others. Gordon wanted his daughter to be able to connect with other people her age. Sadly, the other children at the public pool they went to did not understand how to interact with Morgan. So, instead of joining in on the fun at the pool, Morgan simply sat and watched.

The doting father used his sadness to fuel him in his new goal to find a public place where Morgan could socialize with others without feeling uncomfortable or isolated. Once he realized that there was no such place, the determined man set out to create one himself.

According to PEOPLE, Gordon held several meetings to raise money as well as collaborate with architects, engineers, doctors and therapists. He was able to raise $35 million to design the park, and construction began in 2007. In April 2010, the fully-accessible park opened its doors to everyone. There is also a water park within the amusement park called Morgan's Inspiration Island.

Today, Morgan’s Wonderland is an amazing place where kids of any ability can gather and know that they are welcomed and loved. “It feels fantastic because we get to see people who, many, are not given the opportunity to have or go on the type of rides that we have, to be able to go on a carousel,” Gordon told Inside Edition.

He added, “Little things can make a big difference.”

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This amazing theme park will touch your heart and make you smile. What surprised you most about this inspiring story? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your family members and friends, too.