How To Create Accessible Outdoor Play Spaces for All

Now that the weather is getting warmer during the summer months, many families are taking to the outdoors with their children for summer breaks and vacations. Make sure that your community parks and playgrounds are ready for the summer rush. It’s also important to evaluate the accessibility of your parks. If you feel your community playground could use an update this summer, keep reading to learn how to create accessible outdoor play spaces for all.

Evaluate Your Current Play Space

Before making changes to your current park’s design, evaluate how and where you can improve. For example, question whether your playground is accessible to kids and adults with wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Can kids of all ages and levels of ability participate in games and equipment around your park? What is the capacity, and is there plenty of room for all kids to play? Once you evaluate these areas, you’ll have a better idea of where to make improvements around your play space.

Add Inclusive Slides and Swings

Slides and swings are fun, traditional activities that you’ll find on almost any playground. But some of the traditional models aren’t fit for children of all ability levels. Climbing onto a swing or to the top of a slide isn’t a possibility for some children. However, modern park installations allow communities to add inclusive slides, swings, and more that appeal to children of all abilities. With inclusive slides, kids can access them from the ground level and pull themselves up. And this is just one example—there are many options for inclusive park installations.

Include Sensory and Ground-Level Activities

For children who can’t be as mobile, make sure to include plenty of ground-level activities to keep them entertained. Sensory playgrounds provide a firm foundation for kids while remaining full of fun, safe, and accessible activities for all children. Including games and other activities on the ground level also allows kids to learn crucial social skills and promotes sharing and communication too. Include a range of games, equipment, and more to offer various stimulating activities.

Don’t let children feel excluded from your community playgrounds—use these tips to create an accessible outdoor play space for all. These tips can help bring all the children of your community together this summer.