Morgan's Inspiration Island Is the World's First Accessible Water Park

Beating the heat this summer just got a bit easier thanks to a Morgan’s Inspiration Island, a new and accessible water park. Opening June 17, Morgan’s Inspiration Island is an “ultra-accessible” water park in San Antonio, Texas.

The family-friendly attraction is the sister park to Morgan’s Wonderland — the first fully-accessible theme park. Like Morgan’s Wonderland, every part of the park is wheelchair accessible and waterproof wristbands with RFID technology are available for parents concerned about getting separated from their children.

“When Morgan’s Wonderland opened in spring 2010, we really didn’t know what to expect, but the park’s popularity has grown tremendously and encouraged us to add Morgan’s Inspiration Island,” Gordon Hartman, founder of The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, which developed the park, said in a statement.  “Now, we’ll have two attractions like none other that everyone – regardless of ability or age – can enjoy.  Morgan’s Inspiration Island promises to give individuals with physical or cognitive special needs a place where they can splash and play without barriers.”

Both parks were named after and inspired by Hartman’s 23-year-old daughter, Morgan, who lives with a disability. The Foundation also operates The Academy at Morgan’s Wonderland, a school for students with disabilities. 

The water park has been under construction since 2015, with developers working to ensure the park’s safety and accessibility. “For the past three years, we’ve been collaborating with water park consultants from Texas, Arizona, Florida and Canada as well as local doctors, special needs therapists, special education teachers, parents and caregivers,” Hartman said. “We believe Morgan’s Inspiration Island will be tremendously popular because both children and adults in wheelchairs will be able to have fun in the South Texas sun.”

The park features a river boat adventure ride, an eight-acre catch and release fishing lake and five tropical-themed water play areas. “Like Morgan’s Wonderland, Morgan’s Inspiration Island is not a special-needs park; it’s a park of inclusion,” Hartman added. “Both were designed with special-needs individuals in mind and built for everyone’s enjoyment.”

Parkgoers with powerchairs can also access the park’s waterproof wheelchairs, powered by compressed air, in addition to two other types of waterproof wheelchairs. Those with a disability visiting the park can enter free of charge. After its June 17 launch, the park will be open every day until Mid-August, switching to weekends-only for the remainder of the month through September.

According to Hartman, due to the park’s popularity, those interested in visiting the park should order tickets in advance online.