INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS Around the Region

Accessible places to play and how to prepare for your day

By Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

Playgrounds provide the perfect opportunity for family and budget-friendly explorations. If you are seeking new parks with accessibility to all, you’re in luck. There are playgrounds throughout Northeast Ohio where you can ensure access to fun with wheelchair accessible ramps, ADA swings, and other features that provide all children a chance to learn, grow and play. Below are parks located in Cuyahoga, Lake, Medina and Summit counties where you can be sure to find great places to play.

Before you start off on your explorations, here’s a quick list of tips to help you and your family have an enjoyable experience.

. Pack the essentials: water and some easy-to-eat snacks.

. Sunscreen can be done at home before the outing, but plan to reapply if you stay longer than expected. Another way to protect children from the sun is to have them wear hats or other sun-protection clothing.

. Just in case, be prepared with a change of clothes. Some parks provide

Cuyahoga County

LIBERTY PLAYGROUND - INDEPENDENCE

6363 Selig Blvd., Independence independenceohio.org

Designed for ages 5-12 years, this play structure includes multiple slides and climbing structures on a poured-in-place rubber surface, plus two racing zip lines. This park also offers a newly designed space for ages 2-5 that includes slides and climbing structures, an accessible sand table, musical panels, and an accessible spinner. This park also includes swings and a climbing wall.

PARKVIEW PLAYGROUND

25 N. Commons Blvd., Mayfield Village mayfieldvillage.com great sensory-friendly explorations. Explore it all and be prepared just in case of the mess.

Built in 2020 and located in Mayfield Heights, this inclusive playground features a rubberized play surface and unique equipment including slides, climbing structures, a sand area, a variety of swings, and even a water feature that sprays mist for cooling off.

. Be sure your child is ready to explore safely, whether it’s the right shoes, clothing or other equipment to help them adventure without worries.

. For many children with special needs, independent playtime can be important. Consider dressing in similar bright colors so you can spot your child and your child can easily see you.

PLAYGROUND OF POSSIBILITIES

1632-1660 Miramar Blvd., South Euclid cityofsoutheuclid.com

A unique find, this playground is castle themed, includes a variety of playhouses, and is fully accessible. This fairy tale-inspired park also includes a treehouse, animal spring toys, ADA swings, and even built in “old school” games like checkers (bring your own game pieces).

PRESTON’S H.O.P.E. PLAYGROUNDBEACHWOOD

26001 S. Woodland Road, Beachwood prestonshope.com

This 60,000-square-foot accessible park offers sand, swings and an “Imagination Village” made up of six small buildings that provide a small town feel for inspiring imaginative play. The park has something for all ages and all abilities, and is located on the Mandel JCC Beachwood Campus.

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Lake County

MIRACLE LEAGUE PLAYGROUND - EASTLAKE

35200 Vine St., Eastlake miracleleagueoflakecounty.org

The Miracle League Baseball Field and Inclusive Playground is located near Classic Park (home of the Lake County Captains baseball team). The park features a latex-free surface, ramps for wheelchairs, and an igloo for some quiet time or imaginary play. A highlight of this park is an adjoining accessible ball field that gives children and youth with physical and mental disabilities a safe place to play baseball.

Medina County

CAROLYN LUDWIG MUGRAGE PARKMEDINA

4985 Windfall Road,Medina medinacountyparks.com

This park offers a multipurpose paved trail, pond, accessible fishing pier and a playground. The inclusive playground with wheelchair ramps is situated on a rubber safety surface. The StoryWalk, maintained by the Medina County District Library, provides an opportunity to enjoy a story along the trail and continue to support your child’s reading while having some summer fun!

Summit County

SOAR FULLY ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND - STOW

5027 Stow Road, Stow stowohio.org

This park includes basketball, tennis, volleyball and soccer fields located in the front section of the park. In the back of the park is a large, fully accessible playground with a rubber surface. The playground also includes accessible swings.

Jeannie Fleming-Gifford is a mom, blogger (“Simplicity Soup” at NEO Parent), non-profit executive, arts advocate, writer, coffee consumer and wannabe adventurer. Contact her at fleminggifford@gmail.com

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