Dorias Playground

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Doria's Playground is a popular destination located in Midland, Michigan.


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Summary

The playground is named after Doria Adeline Clevenger, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of two and died at the age of four. Her family and community members worked together to build a playground in her memory that would be accessible to children with disabilities.

There are several reasons to visit Doria's Playground, including its inclusive design that allows all children to play together. The playground features a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, a sensory garden, and a zip line that can accommodate individuals with disabilities. There are also swings, a climbing wall, and several other play structures.

One of the main points of interest at Doria's Playground is the Inclusion Zone, which is an area designed specifically for children with disabilities. This area features sensory panels, a wheelchair-accessible sandbox, and a sway boat. The playground also has picnic tables, benches, and a pavilion that can be reserved for events.

Interesting facts about Doria's Playground include the fact that it was built entirely by volunteers and funded through donations. The playground was named one of the top 50 playgrounds in the country by Early Childhood Education Zone in 2019.

The best time of year to visit Doria's Playground is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. The playground is open year-round, but some of the play structures may not be accessible during the winter months.

Overall, Doria's Playground is a must-visit destination in Midland, Michigan, where families and children of all abilities can come together and enjoy a day of play and adventure.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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