Inclusive Playground Design
Park Planet is looking forward to another successful year in 2022. As a leader in our industry, we’re proud to further our commitment to inclusive play and educate our clients on exactly what that means.
Why Should Your Playground Be Inclusive?
Every child has the right to play, but not every child has the opportunity to do so in their local park or school. An inclusive playground eliminates the barriers, encouraging personal growth and creating new friendships.
Accessible vs. Inclusive Design
Access does not guarantee inclusion. When a space or playground is built with accessible design, it has been created with the minimum standard required by law. This means that the needs of individuals with disabilities have specifically been considered in the design process.
Inclusive playground design recognizes everyone’s right to participate fully and contribute to meaningful play, reaping the lifelong development of physical and social benefits of inclusion. To the greatest extent possible, an inclusive design will be usable by all people without any need for adaptation.
Strategies for an Inclusive Playground
Create Access
Make sure to include accessible routes, along with surfacing that is accommodating to wheelchairs. Also, ensuring there are equitable play experiences is key to success when they arrive. Consider using ramps and providing ground-level play opportunities.
Keep It Simple
Provide sections of play experiences, such as active or passive areas. Include varying colors across the playground to organize these areas and create paths to follow.
Add Sensory Elements
Incorporating activities that provide multisensory experiences with touch, sight, sound, and movement can positively influence child development.
Encourage Social Exchanges
Children learn about each other when they communicate and socially interact. Consider ways to encourage communication, cooperation, so children of all abilities can socially interact through games, dramatic play experiences, or multi-user components.
Offer Choices
Thinking about how children play is an essential aspect of a playground’s success. Some children love to jump in the middle of the action; others prefer to comfortably observe from a cozy spot on a bench before joining in the fun. We suggest you offer a variety of elements, including climbing, upper body events, balancing, swinging, sliding, spinning, rocking, and climbing.
Opportunity For All
A child deserves to interact with the other kids on the playground and not be limited to certain types of equipment based on their abilities. Providing opportunities for children to engage with one another throughout the design creates a safe space for everyone is able to have fun.
Our Dedication to Building a Better Future
Park Planet is committed to making sure that all children and adults can play and learn from the playgrounds in their community. For more information, reach out to a Park Planet rep today!
Additional Information
Dr. Stuart Brown’s Online Blog - https://www.playcore.com/drstuartbrown
Playcraft’s Planning Guide - https://playcraftsystems.com/start-aproject/resources/planning