One word — “Weee!” — best described the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Play Together all-inclusive playground at Havens Gardens on Tuesday.

That word was said several times by 13-year-old Lizzie Willis, a girl with disabilities, as she tried out the playground’s Liberty Swing (for children and adults using wheelchairs). She left no doubt she was thrilled.

For Brenda Willis, Lizzie’s mother, the playground sends an important message.

“It means freedom for Lizzie. It means freedom for others like Lizzie. It means freedom from life as it was for Lizzie and those like her,” Willis said.

Willis said the playground provides opportunities for all children — normal or disabled — to learn to play together and accept those who may be different than them.

As her mother spoke, Lizzie’s anxiously anticipated her exploration of the playground. Other children joined her in that exploration.

The celebration included city officials, Beaufort County officials and representatives of Trillium Health Resources and Cunningham Recreation/Gametime, which build and equipped the playground.

“This is a great day for Washington. Local residents have been coming to Havens Gardens to play with the children for more than 50 years. This park is part of childhood memories for a great number of people,” said Virginia Finnerty, Washington’s mayor pro tempore. “But as special as the park was before, it wasn’t welcoming to everybody, Today’s ribbon-cutting marks the beginning of an awesome new era for Havens Gardens and Washington. … We now have a playground where children with all types of abilities can play together. One that address the needs of typically developing children as well as children with disabilities.”

“It’s really exciting to see all of you here learning to play together, because if you play together now, you’ll play together later,” said Cindy Ehlers, vice president of clinical operations for Trillium Health Resources. “So, this is really about leveling the playing field for all children, giving every child a chance to play and just be a kid, because that’s what’s important.”

In February, the Washington City Council approved spending $264,055.42 for the improvements at the waterfront park. An initial $225,000 grant from Trillium Health Resources provided the money for the Play Together project. The project’s contract was amended to $280,555.42 to complete all amenities and walkways related to the project. Also, the city received a $3,600 private donation for the project.

The new playground equipment, in addition to the Liberty Swing, includes, but is not limited to, other swings, a rocking boat, double ramps and a custom-made sign to identify the waterfront park. Area Boy Scout troops donated money for the Liberty Swing.