The Center for Creative Play, the fully inclusive play center in Regent Square that served 45,000 visitors last year, is closing March 31 after 13 years.

Jason Kunzman, president of the center for three years, acknowledged the closing "was a difficult decision" but refused to elaborate on the reasons.

The center was started by five Pittsburgh families who were raising children with disabilities to provide play opportunities for all children. Originally opened in Station Square, the center reopened a few years later in a vacant Foodland grocery store on Braddock Avenue, which provided a bright, spacious indoor playground. It's been a popular destination for families, care givers, after-school programs and field trips.

In a prepared statement, Mr. Kunzman said: "During my tenure, I have seen the organization establish itself not only as a model for inclusive play environments, but as a national expert on the importance of universally accessible play. [The center] provides an unduplicated range of services that will, no doubt, be greatly missed by the Pittsburgh community."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.