Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
Home
  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
  • What You Need To Know About Curb Ramps
  • 9 Things You No Longer See on Playgrounds
  • Benefits of Nature Play
  • Train Themed Playground
  • The World is a Kiwanis Playground
  • Top Five Inclusive Playground Design Considerations

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Playground
  3. Inclusion
  4. Top Five Inclusive Playground Design Considerations

Top Five Inclusive Playground Design Considerations

Inclusion
April 13, 2022
Profile picture for user Sarah Lisiecki
By Sarah Lisiecki on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
605
Top Five Inclusive Playground Design Considerations

Top Five Inclusive Playground Design Considerations

Playgrounds, recreation and outdoor fitness spaces help communities get outside, get moving and develop lasting bonds. There are many factors to consider in inclusive playground design…these are the Top Five from our professional team of playground designers!

  1. Play variety

    Different people have different needs and thrive by participating in a variety of play activities. Having a multitude of play opportunities in different categories (sensory, spinning, swinging, etc.) is key to meeting everyone’s needs and preferences. It also provides a well-rounded play experience and hits all developmental areas so children can get the most from their playtime.

  2. Age groups

    Age-appropriate play helps children develop at a level that is comfortable and fun for them while still challenging them to grow. Not only is it important to have different age groups for children, but multigenerational play is also important! ELEVATE® Fitness Course is a great way to engage people of all ages and fitness levels in outdoor fitness and fun! Communities can exercise and compete together in an open space making it that much easier to WANT to move!

  3. Play equity

    Everyone deserves access to play and recreation areas and those areas should provide experiences that are comfortable, developmentally-rich and full of play variety for children of all abilities. This means children can have the same play experience no matter their ability or preferences. Swinging is a great example of this. There are multi-user swings, traditional belt swings, the Freedom Swing designed for a more supportive swinging experience, the Konnection® Swing for a caregiver and child or two children and the Brava® Universal Swing that reimagines swinging for all. Designing a playspace that is inclusive of a variety of swinging options offers everyone equal opportunity to participate and gain the benefits of swinging.

  4. Barrier-free

    Creating a space free from barriers goes beyond access and into inclusive play design. Removing barriers to play means the play space, playground or recreation space must be accessible and usable without restriction for all children, adolescents, adults and older adults. It must also be engaging, fun and provide experiences users want to have. Surfacing, varied levels of play events and a variety of experiences remove barriers to not only getting into the space but really being part of something bigger.

  5. Focus on the “can”

    Changing the conversation to focus on what people can do vs what they can’t shifts the discussion and provides a positive approach to both product and space design. How people can and want to use the space allows us to design spaces that are really for all people of all ages and abilities. That is inclusivity.

Learn more about planning your dream playspace with Burke or contact your local Burke Representative to get started today!

Profile picture for user Sarah Lisiecki
Sarah Lisiecki
Published 1 year ago
Last updated 6 months ago
605
1
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

More About

Mar 19, 2018
Inclusion

Changing Perceptions, Transforming Play

Playground Magazine
young child planting a tree
Dec 08, 2020
Inclusion

Everything You Should Know about Sensory Play at Playgrounds

Gaurav Belani
mir1
Dec 20, 2015
Inclusion

How to Design Playgrounds for Optimal Sensory Development

PGP
Helping Your Child To Have Confidence In The Playground
Jul 13, 2021
Inclusion

Helping Your Child To Have Confidence In The Playground

Jackie Edwards
Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park
Sep 21, 2022
Inclusion

Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park

Sierra Williams
Ways To Help Children With Down Syndrome Thrive
Mar 10, 2021
Inclusion

Ways To Help Children With Down Syndrome Thrive

PGP
Shane’s Inspiration
Aug 24, 2021
Inclusion

A Place that Connects Us All

Marnie Norris
Take a Road Trip to visit Amazing Inclusive Playgrounds
Jul 29, 2013
Inclusion

Take a Road Trip to visit Amazing Inclusive Playgrounds

Mara Kaplan
Mar 01, 2013
Inclusion

School Playgrounds For Public Use Bill Flies Through Fla. House Committee

Playground Magazine
Noah's Playground for Everyone entrance
Sep 01, 2014
Inclusion

Noah's Playground for Everyone - A Review

Mara Kaplan
Play is for everyone…at least it SHOULD be!
Apr 29, 2013
Inclusion

Play is for everyone - at least it SHOULD be!

Anne-Marie-Spencer
My Journey - Mara Kaplan
Jun 03, 2013
Inclusion

My Journey

Mara Kaplan

Inclusion Professionals

Learning Landscapes Design LLC
Learning Landscapes Design LLC
Services
More
AMPED2PLAY
AMPED2PLAY
Organization
More
Home

Follow Us

Play and playground news and information since 2001

  • instagram
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • linkedin

Company

  • Playground Magazine
  • Contributors
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2001 - 2023 Playground Professionals, LLC

Footer menu

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions