Ellisville Splash and Dash

The Ellisville Splash and Dash is an annual community event scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Ellisville, Missouri. This timed 5K run and walk serves as a primary fundraiser for the development of Asher’s Playground, an inclusive and fully accessible play space at Bluebird Park. The project honors the legacy of Asher, a local child who demonstrated immense resilience during his life with congenital heart defects and other medical challenges.

The mission of Asher’s Playground is to eliminate barriers to play, ensuring that children of all physical and cognitive abilities can interact and thrive. This initiative is partnered with Unlimited Play, an organization specialized in building universally accessible playgrounds. In Ellisville, which has a population that is approximately 88% White, 4% Asian, and 3% Hispanic, these community projects aim to foster social integration across diverse families and ability levels.

In the United States, according to the CDC, approximately 1 in 6 children aged 3 to 17 has one or more developmental disabilities. Furthermore, about 1% of births (nearly 40,000 infants annually) are affected by congenital heart defects like the one Asher faced. These statistics underscore the critical need for inclusive community infrastructure. In St. Louis County, where Ellisville is located, studies indicate that nearly 12.5% of the total population lives with some form of disability, yet many public parks still lack full ADA-compliant playground equipment that supports complex mobility needs.

Racial disparities in disability and healthcare access also play a role in the broader context of such community initiatives. Nationwide data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that disability prevalence is higher among Black Americans (14.1%) and Native Americans (16.9%) compared to White Americans (11%) and Hispanic Americans (9.1%). Programs that fund inclusive public spaces like Asher’s Playground help bridge the gap in access to therapeutic recreation for all resident demographics in the region.

Participants in the Splash and Dash will receive a custom race shirt, and awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in seven age brackets, ranging from "17 & Under" to "70 & Over." Following the race, the Edge aquatic center will host a post-race gathering for runners and their families to relax and cool off. For more information regarding the playground's progress or volunteer opportunities, interested parties can contact Sally Grobelny at 314-227-7508.