Gordon Hartman
| Gordon Hartman | |
|---|---|
| Born | San Antonio, TX |
| 🏳️ Nationality | American |
| 🏫 Education | Doctorate of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University |
| 💼 Occupation | Philanthropist |
| 🏢 Organization | Gordon Hartman Family Foundation |
| Known for | The first special-needs theme park |
| Notable work | Morgan's Wonderland, Morgan's Inspiration Island, Toyota Field |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Maggie Hartman |
| 🌐 Website | www.gordonhartman.com |
Gordon Hartman is an American businessman who founded the first special-needs accessible theme park, called Morgan’s Wonderland, located in San Antonio, Texas.[1] [2] Hartman conceived the park after watching children at a hotel pool ignore his own special-needs daughter for what he believes is the stigma of having a disability.[3]
History[edit]
In 2005, Hartman sold his construction business[4] and created The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation so he could help children and adults with special needs.[5] During a family vacation his daughter wanted to play with kids in a hotel swimming pool, but when she tried to interact with them socially, they inexplicably left the area. That incident was the motivating factor for Morgan’s Wonderland.[6]
In 2010, Morgan’s Wonderland opened with NBA legend David Robinson and actress Eva Longoria as guests.[7]
In 2017, Morgan's Wonderland unveiled the Morgan's Inspiration Island splash park. In the same year, the World Waterpark Association awarded the Leading Edge Award to Morgan's Inspiration Island accessibility design and waterproof wheelchairs. Morgan's Wonderland was proclaimed "Park of the Year" at the 2017 Golden Ticket Awards. The park received the 2018 Barrier-Free America Award from the Paralyzed Veterans of America organization.
In August 2018, Morgan's Inspiration Island was named one of "The World's Greatest Places" by Time magazine.[8]
Career[edit]
Hartman is a former home developer.[9] At 15 years old he created a landscaping business while attending a local seminary at the same time. At age 19, he founded a home construction company, Gordon Hartman Homes (sold in 2005).[10] Then at 23 he founded a land development company. In 1983, Gordon Hartman Homes built housing for low- to moderate-income families. Over the next 22 years, the company became one of the largest locally-owned homebuilding enterprises in the San Antonio area.[11]
References[edit]
- ↑ Rosenberg, Tina (2017-12-05). "Opinion | A Place to Play, on Wheels or Feet". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ↑ "How one man built a $51m theme park for his daughter". BBC News. 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ↑ "Father creates special water park named after his daughter". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ↑ Parker, Garrett (2017-09-04). "Gordon Hartman Built a $35 Million Theme Park for Special Needs Kids". Money Inc. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ↑ "Our History". Gordon Hartman Family Foundation. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ↑ www.ted.com. "You Only Are Disabled in an Environment that Makes You That Way". yout. TEDx Talks. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ↑ "Father Builds a $35 Million Theme Park For Daughter With Disabilities". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ↑ "The World's 100 Greatest Places". time.com. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ↑ Davis, Vincent T. (2015-05-27). "Former home builder creates legacy of kindness". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ↑ "Hartman Homes Sold". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-07-01. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ issue 3, Tom Anstey | Attractions Management | Published in Attractions Management 2017. "Morgan's Inspiration Island founder Gordon Hartman on his "ultra accessible" waterpark | CLAD". www.cladglobal.com. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
External links[edit]
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