NASHUA - An effort is under way in the city to build the state's largest universally accessible playground for people of all ages and abilities.

Recent graduates from Leadership Greater Nashua are spearheading a massive community project aimed at raising $250,000 for the Legacy Playground.

"This playground, from the outside, will not look terribly different from any other playground, but every component will be laid out as fully accessible," said Jamie Stein, who is helping to organize the project. "Most people understand the term 'accessible,' but we want to build a playground that takes that concept much further to allow a person with any type of disability to not only get to the structure, but to use virtually every single component of it."

Ramps throughout the play facility would be wide enough for wheelchairs; some spaces would be large enough for two wheelchairs to pass, according to Stein, who said swings would be specially designed for people with disabilities.

The playground will also be designed for children and adults with mental, hearing and sensory disabilities, as well as people with vision impairments.

The final design of the play facility has not yet been determined; organizers are still soliciting feedback from the community.

Stein said the Legacy Playground team has already secured funds and pledges close to $70,000.

Organizers are hoping to secure a location for the playground by January, order materials for the structure in July of 2013, and construct and open the playground next fall.

For more information about the project, or to make a donation, visit www.NashuaLegacyPlayground.com.

khoughton@newstote.com