WASHINGTON -- Sunny days are prime time for children and their families to hit neighborhood playgrounds.

But that's not always easy for children with mental or physical challenges.

At St. Columba's Nursery School in northwest Washington, organizers have been working for years to design and construct a playground that matches their top priority -- giving children of all abilities a welcoming and challenging environment in which to play and grow.

It's located at the intersection of Albemarle Street and 42nd Street Northwest.

"It's very important for all children to know that they're special -- period," said Rev. Janet Vincent, rector at St. Columba's Church.

On a sunny week in May, hundreds of volunteers joined a core group of construction professionals for a one-week blitz to bring the playground to life.

Learning Structures, the company behind the new fantasyland, specializes in designing custom playgrounds and relies heavily on community involvement and donations to get the projects done.

Now complete, the playground at St. Columba's ensures that all children can take part in the fun.

"Kids, no matter what their abilities, can reach and experience play events just like every other child," said Joe Cicirelli of Learning Structures, Inc.

School officials described the project as "an unparalleled opportunity to build something that's going to last."

When the nursery school is not in session, the new playground is open to the entire community.