Ho w L andscap e Stru ct ur es is leadin g th e Inclus ive Pl ay moveme nt to ge t children of a ll abilities on th e pl aygr ound toget her.
WE ARE LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES. OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE PLAY IS DEEPLY INGRAINED IN WHO WE ARE. WE INFUSE INSIGHTS INTO OUR DESIGN PROCESS SO MORE KIDS
FEEL INVITED INTO PLAY. CREATING INTENTIONAL DESIGNS THAT ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE. INTEGRATING AN INTUITIVE RANGE OF ACCESS AND ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT. AND INSPIRING INTERACTION WITH INNOVATION.
All too often people have designed for us, not with us. It’s time that changed.
Jill Moore Inclusive Play Specialist Landscape Structures
Following founder Steve King’s appointment to the Federal Access Board’s Recreation Access Advisory Committee in 1993, Landscape Structures launched its quest to go beyond the minimum ADA requirements and create truly inclusive play spaces.
From the beginning we sought expert input from a group of individuals with a diverse range of disabilities. Their lived experiences provide us with usable insights, so much more valuable than well-meaning guesses.
As we learned more about how to create welcoming play opportunities featuring activities that are age and developmentally appropriate, sensory engaging and universally designed, we also discovered our scope of inclusivity needed to expand.
Today our field of thought leaders includes a multitude of perspectives like mobility disabilities, deaf and visual spaces, colorblindness, ADHD, autism, medically complex diagnoses, and more. They are employees as well as academic, medical and therapeutic professionals, and hardcore inclusive playground users.
With their help, we gain better understandings of other diagnoses so we can keep creating “what’s next” in inclusive play in more meaningful ways. Intentional ways that promote social and sensory play, develop perceived risk and challenges for all, and provide physical play to groups who may have never experienced it before.
At Landscape Structures, inclusion is a never-ending journey and one that continues to permeate our culture. Every design project is seen through the lens of inclusivity even if it’s not necessarily labeled as such. It’s just how every playground should be — designed so well that anyone can use it, especially in ways that best fit their own bodies.
As we connect and collaborate with the disability community, we learn more about varying language preferences. Here you’ll see person-first language (i.e., kids with disabilities) and identity-first language (i.e. disabled kids) used interchangeably.
The word disability isn’t limited to a singular diagnosis or person whose life is touched by disability. That’s why we choose to gather insight from a multitude of highly relevant sources. In addition to our Inclusive Play Specialists, Jill Moore and Ariel Mansholt, we collaborate with the following inclusion allies.
Jill Moore Inclusive Play Specialist at Landscape Structures
As a person with a disability, I know I have a lot to add. When we design for inclusion, we’re showing people of every ability that their presence is of value. That all are welcome and invited to bring their vitality. I’m passionate about inclusive design because everyone deserves the universal experience of play, and the designed environment should never stand in the way of that.
Ingrid M. Kanics
OTR/L, FAOTA, CPSI
Kanics Inclusive Design Services, LLC
I believe that every individual has the drive to play. Through good design, we can create environments that allow all children to play, learn and grow together to be their best selves.
the
Inclusivity is a spark that should be in everyone and if we ignite that spark it will turn into a fire!
We are passionate about inclusive play because we believe everyone deserves the same opportunities to play. Making inclusive playgrounds the standard gives kids access to local play spaces where they can engage with peers independently and enjoy a sense of freedom often missing in other aspects of life.
Tiffany Harris
Co-Founder/CEO
Inclusion Matters® by Shane’s Inspiration
Creating equitable opportunities for children with disabilities to be included in the heart of their communities, in dignity, respect, friendship and joy has been a great honor for us. The gift this is to the greater community is best expressed in this quote from Nelson Mandela that continues to inspire us, “It is for us to adapt our understanding of a common humanity; to learn of the richness of how human life is diverse; to recognize the presence of disability in our human midst as an enrichment of our diversity.”
Virginia
Spielmann, PhD,
OTR/L Executive Director at STAR Institute
Inclusive play is more than access—it’s about belonging. By designing spaces that embrace physical and sensory diversity, we create environments where kids learn empathy, cooperation and acceptance. These spaces become the heart of community, bringing families together to share, support and find their village. Inclusive play isn’t just transformative for individuals, it strengthens communities and creates a culture of compassion and connection.
Stephanie Davis
VP of National Programs at The Miracle League
My earliest memories are entwined with sports and play, nurturing my belief that play is foundational for life’s lessons and personal growth. Driven by a passion to see children and families of all abilities come together in play, learning and development, I’m dedicated to creating opportunities for inclusive participation. My mission is to ensure that every child has the chance to be part of a team and play alongside their peers.
Ariel Mansholt, OTD, OTR/L, CPSI Inclusive Play Specialist at Landscape Structures
Having a brother with autism made me keenly aware of the challenges that sensory stimulation at playgrounds can pose. Through my work, I advocate for play in sensory diverse environments to foster learning. Drawing from my personal and professional background, I aim to enhance playground design to be inclusive, supporting children of all abilities and facilitating learning through play.
Alexa Vaughn, ASLA, FAAR Landscape Designer, DeafScape Consultant, and PhD Student
Becoming Deaf at the age of 8, I navigated my formative years without the benefit of sign language, eventually finding my place within the Deaf community later in life. I’m a fierce advocate with a passion for ensuring that folks in the disabled community — from infancy to elder age — are included in the design process. Play is a powerful form of inclusion that everyone has the right to enjoy, and I’m committed to centering Deaf and disabled joy in all my work.
By considering the lived experiences of all kids, more kids will get to play their way.
Every child is searching for two things when they get to the playground: Something that interests them and a way to get to it.
What happens next depends upon the child and the playground.
7,300,000
the number of school-aged children with disabilities
– U.S. Department of Education, 2021
1 in 6
children aged 3-17 years were diagnosed with a developmental disability
– CDC, 2022
1 in 4
adult Americans have a diagnosed disability
– CDC, 2023
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards primarily require that playgrounds be accessible for those who use a wheelchair or other mobility aid.
While the current standards provide a foundation for basic access, there is an opportunity to go beyond this. By expanding these standards, we can embrace a more holistic view of individuals, addressing neurodiversity, diverse visual and hearing needs, and other diagnoses to create truly inclusive spaces.
There are many types of disabilities, but less than 1% (orthopedic diagnoses) falls within the ADA target on the playground.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, 2019.
Specific learning disability
Speech or language disability
Other hearing disabilities
Autism
Developmental delay
Intellectual disability
Emotional disabilities
Multiple disabilities
Deaf/Hard of hearing
Orthopedic disability
Blind/Low Vision
Traumatic brain injury
We challenge the status quo of ADA standards. They allow us to meet the intended spirit, but that’s very different from bringing spirit into play itself.
Dan Osterberg Director of Product Development Landscape Structures
Inclusive play is equitable play.
All kids benefit from play. It’s a great source of physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth, not to mention tons of fun!
A disability, or a difference in needs or supports, shouldn’t keep anyone from joining in the fun. Play itself doesn’t divide that way.
An intentionally designed inclusive playground can unite, welcoming children of all abilities along with their parents, siblings and caretakers. It can be a place where players find quiet and energetic activities can coexist. Where they discover justright challenges, experience the thrill of motion and heights, and feel control over their own environment.
An inclusive playground is built for EVERYONE.
Play is core to the human experience. It is how we get to know the world and each other.
Ingrid M. Kanics OTR/L, FAOTA Kanics Inclusive Design Services
Our criteria is to create a win-win. Inclusion should also include a typically developing 10-year-old who’s hungry for challenge and adventure.
Tory Roff Insights and Product Vision Landscape Structures
My older brother was overwhelmed by playgrounds as a kid so we never stayed very long. I looked at them from afar.
Ariel Mansholt Sibling, OTD, OTR/L, CPSI
Inclusive Play Specialist Landscape Structures
The problem is the environment, not the person with a disability.
Historically the stigma of disability has been applied to people. This line of thinking is called the medical model and it’s anchored in the belief that a disability is something that needs to be fixed.
In contrast, Landscape Structures subscribes to the social model that says it is the environment that needs fixing. By removing blame from the user, the focus can shift to creating a universal space where all can thrive.
This subtle but significant difference opens the door to inspired solutions that may not be obvious to all but will be readily seen by kids looking for that ultimate invitation to play.
An inclusive playground is a space where every child can shape their own play experience. We design environments that support emotional regulation, empowering children to recharge and return to fully enjoy everything the playground has to offer.
A universally designed, sensory-diverse environment that enables all children to develop physically, socially and emotionally. An engaging play space that provides the just-right levels of challenge and offers opportunities to succeed. A well-designed space that addresses all levels of ability. A gathering place that goes beyond minimum accessibility to create play experiences that meet a variety of needs and interests.
It’s not about checking boxes.
Anytime a checklist is created, it runs the risk of becoming the bare minimum. It can also lead to cookiecutter results. An ideal inclusive playground is one that reflects the people in your community, not a list.
Think about how different a playground designed specifically for kids with autism would be from one that accommodates for blind/low vision users or another that addresses a variety of other diagnoses.
Do you know who your potential players are? Or what they’ll need to feel supported and welcome at your playground?
Nothing about us without us.
This line is a rallying cry within disabled communities around the world and Landscape Structures takes it to heart.
You can, too, because your best input will come from community members whose lived experiences can help guide the creation of a unique and meaningful inclusive space. One that’s a win-win, where kids with disabilities and typically developing kids can all experience the rewards of play together.
A successful playground provides a lot of YES, so each kid feels they have permission to invent and adapt a space in ways that meet their needs at the moment.
of parents believe communities should provide playground equipment that accommodates a wide range of abilities. *
What can that look like?
Ramping may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an inclusive playground. While ramps can play an important role for children using mobility devices, they don’t have to be the only way to get around.
You may also think of a large, interconnected structure that requires a big footprint and budget. But did you know an inclusive playground can be compact and budget conscious?
Or that it can be made up of freestanding components?
Connect a variety of freestanding inclusive play elements with thoughtful pathways so kids can easily spot and get to their favorite ones.
Or maybe doesn’t appear to be conventionally inclusive?
an example of how smart design choices can make a playstructure more inclusive, offering multiple levels of play along with various degrees of challenge, support, and areas to just hang out.
An easy way to design a slide is to add steps. But we discovered that curvy belting with handgrips was a great way for kids with upper-body strength to get to the top of the slide. An added bonus — sunlight creates a pattern through the handgrips for an additional sensory experience.
Scott Roschi
Director
Learning is a whole-body process that is rooted in our sensory and motor systems. These systems work together through a developmental sequence as a child grows and interacts with their environment. This is possible because our brains have neuroplasticity, which means they physically change as we engage with the world.
As neuroscientists say, neurons that fire together wire together. Even as adults we continue to use this same process when we learn a new activity, sport or have new thoughts.
It’s important to understand that every kid follows this developmental sequence but does it at their own rate. A child with a disability might do it at a different pace, need more practice, require different access or plateau at a given time.
Cognitive Development
Reasoning, memory, problem-solving and thinking skills
Perceptual Motor Development
The reciprocal interaction of sensory information and motor skills that allow a child to engage with their environment
Sensory Motor Development
The process of receiving sensory messages (sensory input) and producing a response (motor output)
Sensory Development
The foundation for a child’s learning as they make sense of the world
Borrowing from the Pyramid of Learning model established by occupational therapists Taylor and Trott in 1991*, Landscape Structures understands how to orchestrate a strategic mix of diverse play experiences into a single play area, one that can meet a child wherever they’re at in their development (from Sensory up through Cognitive) and encourage them to progress to the next level.
When intentionally designed, one piece of play equipment can contribute to multiple developmental goals at once and accommodate varying levels of ability. That’s why certain play events may be attractive to a variety of kids for very different reasons and at different points in their lives.
* Learn more about this renowned research and its impact on how play supports childhood development by taking one or more of our CEU courses. Find details on page 56 or at playlsi. com/continuing-education.
Touch is a whole-body experience, with the greatest sensitivity being in our lips, hands and feet. The tactile system detects texture, pressure, vibration, temperature and pain, which helps kids understand where their body finishes and the rest of the world begins.
All kids can benefit from engaging their tactile system but their individual tolerance for certain stimulation may vary. One child may prefer a greater range or intensity of tactile experiences where another may seek a more subdued tactile experience.
Some kids with sensory processing disabilities like to use their tactile system to self-regulate*. Other kids with low muscle mass, like those with Down syndrome, use their tactile system to wake up their bodies and ready themselves for play. The same piece of play equipment can do both!
A splash pad encourages kids to explore the many ways water can feel, act and move differently, whether it’s bubbling up from the ground or splashing down from above.
A Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete
structure can feel really cool to the touch on a hot summer’s day—what a nice surprise!
With receptors present in muscles and joints, the proprioceptive system detects how kids use their muscles to move (gross motor) and manipulate things (fine motor). It helps them sense where their body parts are relative to each other without having to look for them.
Kids engage their proprioceptive system when they crawl, roll, walk, run, use wheeled mobility devices, move from side to side, climb, balance and do upper body activities against gravity. Doing these repeatedly helps build muscle memory so kids can move without thinking, freeing up their minds for more imaginative play.
Using the combination of big muscles to play. This includes a variety of ways to use our muscles:
from using one side of their body to the other.
MOVING SIDE TO SIDE
and their body weight shifts.
Strong gross motor skills are required to make fine motor skills effective and efficient.
The vestibular system uses receptors in a kid’s inner ears to detect where their head and body are in space. They engage this system to coordinate the movement of their body as they experience the forces of gravity and speed. A well-developed vestibular system helps a child feel secure and in full control of their movement.
Multidimensional movements like rotating and spinning supply children’s brains with valuable, complex vestibular and proprioceptive information. These are the most complex motions for our vestibular system and a child should be in full control of these types of movement.
Kids control the speed and direction of the ReviWheel® Spinner using the grab wheel in the center. It’s just one way social play can lead to the joy of shared experiences.
Kids can find multiple ways to develop their vestibular systems during play. With the right mix of swinging, swaying, spinning, sliding and rotating movements, they can choose to explore how comfortable they are with balance, gravity, and speed all at once, or bit by bit.
Create a great hangout area for social play and coregulation* by pairing several Chill® Spinners together at varying heights; that way each kid can easily stop themselves when they’re done spinning.
The convenient wheelchair access of the We-Go-Round® provides an important opportunity for interchangeable roles and group interaction. Those pushing get great proprioceptive input as they turn their friends.
Consider equipment that offers rotation and spinning while including thoughtful benefits like high-backed support and face-to-face play, like on the OmniSpin® Spinner
The back-and forth movement of swinging provides a child’s nervous system with a wealth of visual, vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation as they learn how their bodies move in space, develop depth perception and discover how much effort it takes to increase or decrease their speed.
The multi-user Friendship® Swing lets kids swing face-to-face with friends, siblings, parents and caretakers, making it a great option for co-regulation.
The We-Go-Swing® provides access to swinging fun without transferring out of a mobility device.
The visual system detects color, depth, contrast, edges, and movement of objects and is the least mature at birth. Kids use it to guide and direct their movements so that they can have meaningful interactions with their world.
Flex kids’ developing depth perception with an expansive view from a tower or other component. Provide a calming view from the swings, especially for kids who may use that motion to self- or co-regulate*. Strategically applied contrasting colors can support visual development as well as those with low vision and colorblindness. Additionally, kids who are deaf use a greater visual range of their environment to successfully engage in it.
Use color to identify an accessible path that winds its way throughout the playground. It can make a larger park feel less overwhelming as kids map out their routes for that day.
Hearing is detected by the structures of the inner and outer ear as well as through bone conduction. This means children who are deaf or hard of hearing receive a rich benefit from the tactile vibrations of music. The auditory system also connects with our vestibular system to regulate movement, coordination, and equilibrium.
For kids who are deaf or hard-ofhearing, nonverbal communication supports can be added — and musical equipment can still be enjoyed through their other senses. For kids who are blind or low vision, the sounds created by these instruments provide spatial awareness guiding them toward playstructures and help them feel more confident in their surroundings.
Encourage all kids to learn how to communicate with their deaf and hard-of-hearing friends. The
Rhapsody® Outdoor Musical Instruments not only enhance kids’ auditory systems but they encourage creativity, social play and cognitive growth. Music play is still a very rich experience for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
An estimated 40% of people with autism are nonverbal. The Symbol Communication Sign can help players decide how to navigate the playground together, ask and answer questions, share feelings and more.
Some medical devices like cochlear implants and exterior insulin pumps are at risk for static electricity discharge on slides made from polyethylene. It’s a smart idea to include at least one stainless steel slide — like the PlayBooster® Stainless
Kids build their Sensory Motor and Perceptual Motor skills through the integration of input from all of their senses — tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, vision and hearing. An intentional combination of playground components can promote this development, so kids get a chance to enjoy the many other benefits that a playground offers.
Input into one sensory system can be used to calm or support another sensory system. For example, a kid who’s become visually overloaded or overwhelmed with noise may find relief in the motion of swinging.
Kids learn to manage their own energy states and seek out the comfort they need (selfregulation) or get help from a friend, mentor, parent or caretaker (co-regulation).
Several playground components, aside from being fun for the sake of fun, are also helpful when it comes to self- and co-regulation.
On the Flexx™ Swing, kids can choose to share the fun and co-regulate together, or go it alone for some comfy self-regulation.
Infants and toddlers will focus more on what they are playing with and try to learn all about its features using their senses. As they move into preschool and elementary school, their play will shift to playing with others and developing friends.
Holding up to two wheelchairs and with benches for more seating, the Sway Fun® Glider brings bunches of kids together for some self-propelled rocking and rolling.
Once kids’ motor skills are at a stage where they no longer have to think about their next movement, they can progress to imaginative play. Pretend play allows kids to try on all the different aspects of the world around them.
Is it a futuristic community with interconnected dwellings? A single home with multiple rooms? Or a giant piece of equipment for the newest Olympic sport? Hedra® inspires kids to stretch their creativity during play.
All kids’ gross motor skills develop at different rates for a whole host of reasons, some of which may include a disability. But when a playground is built to offer a progressive range of challenges, all kids can move at their own pace and experience the thrill of victory along the way.
Each kid may approach Smart Play® Volo Aire™ one way today and in an entirely different way tomorrow. Maybe they want to try a new challenge, exercise a developing skill or simply take a new route. The right piece of equipment will encourage all of these options, all at once.
All kids, regardless of ability, benefit from the opportunity for personal exploration. And they can find it when presented with a meaningful selection of play equipment, unprescribed routes that require individual decision-making, just-right challenges that grow with them, and the ability to choose how they want to tackle play that day.
Autonomy, choice and independence are critical experiences for disabled persons. It’s important for me to not just participate but to have control over my own play experiences, to explore independently and engage in play at my own pace.”
Jill Moore
Inclusive Play Specialist
Landscape Structures
Pearland, TX
Age Ranges: 5 to 12 years
A partnership with Inclusion Matters® by Shane’s Inspiration.
This community wanted a place where not only children of all abilities could play, but where their caregivers could engage in the fun too. Strategic ramps and colorful pathways connect this multi-level playstructure, loaded with multiple interactive play panels, to a diverse range of non-transfer activities, a colorful sensory tunnel, a roller slide (great for kids with medical devices sensitive to static, such as cochlear implants) and tons more.
Watkinsville, GA
Age Ranges: 2 to 5 years, 5 to 12 years
Options abound, even on a smaller footprint.
Here’s proof that you can pack plenty of spinning, sliding, balancing and climbing challenges into a fully ramped playstructure. Add social-promoting freestanding events like the We-Go-Round® plus options for quieter play like with one or more Cozy Domes®. The Double ZipKrooz® combines a sense of flying with an opportunity for kids of all abilities to engage in equitable competition as they challenge each other to race.
Belleville, MI
Age Ranges: 2 to 5 years, 5 to 12 years
Intentional planning provides a multitude of opportunities for fun. This imaginative playground was developed to meet the needs of a variety of kids, including those with autism, ADHD, auditory and visual disabilities, and a range of physical disabilities. In addition to just a couple of ramps, multiple transfer points have been creatively added, increasing access to all the fun. There’s something for all skill levels plus plenty of opportunities to take on new and evolving challenges.
West Fargo, ND
Age Ranges: 2 to 5 years, 5 to 12 years
A single structure built for inclusivity (and it’s not even custom).
Built-in belted pathways on Smart Play® Billows® encourage kids with upper-body mobility to climb up, around and through the entire playstructure in whatever way works best for them. The Flex Climber gives children with ADHD, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome a great way advance their muscle development. Then round out the experience with select freestanding events.
Santa Monica, CA
Age Ranges: 2 to 5 years, 5 to 12 years
Create inclusive play under an oasis of shade.
This imaginative playground was developed to meet the needs of a variety of kids, including those with autism, ADHD, hearing and vision disabilities, and a range of physical disabilities. In addition to ramped pathways, multiple transfer points have been creatively added, increasing access to all the fun. There’s something for all skill levels plus plenty of opportunities to take on new and evolving challenges.
LaGrange, GA
Age Ranges: 2 to 5 years, 5 to 12 years
Fully ramped, end to end.
Built close to an accessible baseball field, this mobility device-friendly playstructure is surrounded by other accessible events, like the Sway Fun® Glider and the We-Go-Round®. Smaller children will enjoy imaginary play on two Smart Play® playstructures, Loft and Fire Station. The nearby FitCore™ Extreme offers important physical challenges to kids developing their motor skills.
North Charleston, SC
Age Ranges: 2 to 5 years, 5 to 12 years
The largest playground of its kind in the world.
At 55,000 square feet, Park Circle Playground is intentionally designed to promote social, emotional, cognitive and physical development through play. It incorporates just about every type of inclusive feature and equipment available, such as climbing structures, slides, swings, spinners and much more. About 80% of the space is shaded, including two wheelchair charging stations that are located next to an adaptive, interactive game, ensuring there’s no break in the fun.
Spokane, WA
Age Ranges: 5 to 12 years
Freestanding free-for-all.
Create multiple playable moments simply by connecting inclusive freestanding events with a strategically designed pathway. Here kids can plan their route from the boat-themed Sway Fun® Glider to the We-Go-Round® to the custom Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) sensory wall that offers a unique tactile experience.
Waukee, IA
Age Ranges: 2 to 5 years, 5 to 12 years
Multiple ways to access a variety of thrilling heights.
The gradual sloped pathway of the spiral belting creates friendlier routes for kids who are crawling, climbing, scooting and more. Ramps and bridges offer other routes through this multi-playstructure playspace, with double-wide ramps placed in busier areas to allow everyone to move at their own speed. When slides are placed atop berms, children get to crawl or run back up on their own.
Russiaville, IN
Age Ranges: 5 to 12 years
Inclusive play belongs in school.
Teachers wanted a playstructure that gave all students the ability to choose how they wanted to play without being called out for having unique needs or forced to participate in a particular way. Here the Flex Climber engages different areas of the brain as kids develop motor planning skills. Plus, the WeGo-Round® welcomes all students for fun while encouraging social interaction.
It wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I got to experience swinging. Suddenly I turned into a kid again.
Amy Saffell Play advocate and wheelchair user
Creating a playground for people with disabilities is a nice gesture.
But creating it with them is a game-changer.
With insights like Amy’s [quote at left], we learn how important it is to identify and include ways for kids of all abilities to experience the joys of swinging, for example.
Universal Design enhances the fun and excitement of parks and playgrounds by promoting equitable solutions. It helps us understand and implement inclusive features that benefit everyone, making good design accessible to all. Instead of looking at this guide
as a comprehensive checklist, use it to inform your journey and spark ideas along the way. Your playground’s to-do list will be as unique as the community you’re designing for.
Remember the rallying cry “Nothing About Us Without Us”? Let it be your guiding principle.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO ENSURE YOUR PLAYGROUND WILL BE INVITING, ENGAGING AND CHALLENGING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS? ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK.
Talk to people with lived experiences. When you include people with disabilities as part of your committee and/or planning process, you will glean real-world perspectives on everyday matters that may otherwise be overlooked.
Parents within the community. Kids of all abilities are experts on what they like right now. Their parents can advocate for what may be important as their children develop physically, cognitively and socially. How do they see their kids using this playground in a year? In two years? In five years?
Continue to seek this input. At every stage of the process, people with disabilities as well as local experts like physical therapists, occupational therapists or special education teachers should be reviewing your plans and adding insights.
Build a strong committee.
Key stakeholders. Invite people associated with your neighborhood, school, park or city to join. This should include people of all abilities and all generations to ensure that you are aware of everyone’s needs.
Form specialized teams within your committee.
Budget/Fundraising. Be realistic yet thorough. Once you’ve established a budget, estimate how much of it likely will be funded by the following sources:
__ % parks and recreation
__ % city government
__ % private donations/fundraising
__ % foundation grants
Publicity. Generate early interest by detailing the development process via the press, special events, mailings, a website and social media.
Research. Explore a range of playground designs to gather ideas for your inclusive play space. Draw inspiration from existing playgrounds while keeping in mind the needs of your community members. Use these insights to support your efforts in fundraising and design.
Design. Collaborate with community members and city authorities to design the best inclusive playground for your site and specific goals.
Construction/Installation. Coordinate volunteers for construction and installation duties.
You don’t have to become an expert—consult with them, instead.
Start with your local Landscape Structures consultant. Leverage our deep knowledge of inclusive play. We will apply our evidence-based best practices and extensive design expertise to create the ultimate play experiences for the most people.
Ask landscape architects. These professionals know how to connect all the fun with strategic pathways, natural shading, seating areas and more.
Tip: LAs can incorporate berms with equipment like slides and climbing activities so the sloping ground becomes part of the play experience, allowing kids to navigate their way up or down by scooting, crawling or walking.
Use these insights to define and refine your project. Pair expert recommendations with the wishes of your community, and you’ve got a winning solution.
Start fundraising. This short list of proven sources may vary somewhat depending on the size and geography of your community.
Individual contributions. Reach out to parents, neighbors, churches and local businesses.
Local and state foundations. Grants from corporate foundations and local nonprofit groups are an excellent source of capital for causes that benefit kids.
Tip: Your parks and recreation department can tell you if your state offers recreation grants.
Tip: Landscape Structures has curated online grant resources with national, state and regional organizations that offer grant funding. Request access at playlsi.com/playground-grants
Civic organizations. Check with the Kiwanis, Jaycees, Rotary, Lions and Optimist chapters in your city.
In-kind contributions. Reduce the need for financial donations by raising in-kind donations of materials, labor, equipment and supplies.
Activities. Consider events such as door-to-door solicitations, silent auctions, car washes, raffles, gift bricks, etc. Get creative and have fun.
Don’t fear the fundraising
Where to start? How to start? Fundraising can feel overwhelming, especially if you haven’t done it before. We’ll take the mystery out of the process and give you the tools you need to be successful.
To learn more, visit playlsi.com/fundraising.
MANY OF YOU MAY BE WORKING WITHIN AN ESTABLISHED AREA LIKE A SCHOOL OR PARK. IF THAT’S THE CASE, YOU CAN SKIP THIS STEP. FOR THOSE SEARCHING FOR THAT JUST-RIGHT SITE, HERE ARE A FEW CONSIDERATIONS.
Space. When scouting for land, plan ahead. What size do you want the playground to be? What else do you want to include: Parking? Public buildings? Inclusive restrooms? Adjacent sports fields or a splash pad?
Location.
If you’re looking within an urban community, be sure to plan how you’ll create quieter moments, both visually and audibly. Alternately, if you’re searching for an environment that’s away from the metro area, you may want to consider transportation strategies like bussing, etc.
Tip: When one organization considered how a large playground could be visually overwhelming for some kids, they decided the surroundings — rolling hills, open fields — needed to be calming and spacious.
NOW IT’S TIME TO PUT ALL OF YOUR INSIGHTS TO WORK.
Play experience.
A playground should offer a strategic balance of play experiences designed to build on kids’ physical, cognitive, sensory and social skills.
Swinging, spinning and sliding. Besides being fun, these activities sharpen our internal senses, as you’ve already learned. Now it’s time to select the range of swinging, spinning, sliding and other motion play opportunities that best meet the goals of your community members.
Social/imaginative prompts. Whether engaged in parallel play, quiet play or active social play, an inclusive playground provides a range of social and imaginative play opportunities.
Tip: Include a variety of gathering spots, some that can accommodate several children as well as cozy, quiet spaces for just a few.
Sensory engagement. A sensory-diverse inclusive play environment can bring children together while providing each with the sensory experiences they seek.
Tip: Natural elements such as sand and water or flowers and plants provide ever-changing multisensory experiences.
Tip: Color can sometimes generate strong responses for visually sensitive children; consider modern or natural color schemes that use blue or green tones.
Variability.
Options — they’re one of the strongest measurements of play value. With enough options, you can meet every child’s curiosity with just-right challenges they can control and manage. This way they can comfortably build on skills they already possess and gain new ones.
Developmentally appropriate cognitive and physical play. Cognitive play can happen individually, in an interactive group, and in teaching moments between adults and children. All kids benefit from physical activities such as balance and coordination, muscle strength and endurance, cardiovascular exercise and motor planning.
Tip: Reinforce learning and enhance problem-solving skills with games, mazes, maps of the world, tracing panels and more.
Tip: Include graduated levels of challenge, complex alternative routes, elements that encourage cross-lateral movement and a variety of developmentally appropriate risks.
Flex space. While many children readily flock to large playstructures, some feel more comfortable in smaller, cozier spaces.
Tip: Add ground-level activities that allow small groups to explore different play experiences at their own pace.
Self-directed. Empowering children to choose and successfully use the activities that capture their interests puts them in charge, builds confidence in their abilities and contributes to their self-esteem.
Tip: Consider activities and equipment like the ReviWheel® Spinner that give kids of all abilities the opportunity to control their environment and how they interact with it.
Tip: Offer a variety of equitable yet diverse options to accommodate the needs of the widest range of users; for example, install Saddle Spinners at different heights.
comfort and access.
A safe and welcoming environment is just as important as the play equipment you put in it.
Fencing. A fence can help define and contain the activity area, providing a sense of comfort to both children and their parents.
Tip: If your park is near a busy street or body of water, fencing can act as a crucial safety barrier that protects kids who may be prone to running off.
Tip: Fencing can be purely functional or incorporate a playground’s theme.
Wayfinding. All people feel more comfortable when they have a better understanding of their surroundings. Identify pathways and zones using contrasting colors. Consider installing Symbol Communication Signs, which help nonverbal, multi-lingual and earlylearning individuals interact and enjoy the playground.
Tip: Establish a strategically located meet-up spot that’s easy to identify— kids can view the playground from here and plan their route, then meet back at the same spot later.
Pathways. Accessible pathways that transition between activity areas should be short and direct. Universal Design principles recommend at least a 60-inch width—wide enough for a wheelchair and someone walking next to them.
Tip: Universal Design would recommend that you try to improve upon width and slope requirements whenever possible.
Tip: Like fencing, pathways can be thematic as well as functional.
Protective surfacing. Incorporate a unitary surface such as poured-inplace surfacing or playground grass/turf on accessible routes.
Tip: Continue a theme in your surfacing design.
Ramps and transfer points. Wheelchairaccessible ramps and transfer modules to higher play events and overlooks offer more equitable access and encourage interactive play among kids and adults of all abilities.
Shade. People with disabilities often are at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses. Incorporating shade through structural elements, natural features or play equipment with roofing is a more inclusive choice.
Tip: Plenty of shade is recommended over the playstructure — incorporate natural shade whenever available.
Seating. Benches with backs and arm rests, tables and game tables may be strategically located around the play area (preferably in shaded areas) for supervision, resting and to promote multigenerational socialization.
THE IDEAS BEHIND UNIVERSAL DESIGN CAN HELP YOU GO BEYOND BASIC REGULATIONS AND TRULY MAKE YOUR ENTIRE PARK INCLUSIVE. ACCESS TO AND THROUGH THE AREA SHOULD BE EFFORTLESS, WITH NO DEAD ENDS OR CONFUSION ABOUT WHERE TO GO NEXT.
Parking.
Parking should be as stress-free as possible with room to easily maneuver in and out of vehicles. Ideally, accessible parking should be scattered throughout the park, located near the activity areas where inclusive play happens, creating different access points in the park that can be used by all visitors. If a large parking lot isn’t feasible, an accessible drop-off zone with a smooth, seamless entrance is an excellent alternative.
Inclusive playgrounds often become destination spots for various programs that attract people of all abilities. In such cases, having a designated drop-off area for buses is ideal. If possible, consider providing parking for buses as well.
To enhance accessibility, ensure pathways are at least 60 inches wide and feature a smooth, durable surface like concrete or asphalt, rather than loose materials like gravel.
Tip: Wider pathways allow for easier group access for all visitors while accommodating multiple wheeled devices like wheelchairs and strollers.
Make sure your wayfinding strategy matches the people who will be visiting your playground. Should it appear in braille, include a tactile map or offer the ability to connect with a communication device?
Tip: Include signage that identifies accessible facilities, meeting spots and play areas by age group as well as amenities such as water and restrooms.
Picnic areas.
Not everyone can roll up to or comfortably seat themselves at your average picnic table. If this is an area you want to have at your playground, research accessible options that will accommodate a variety of picnickers.
Tip: Be sure to check with your disabled community members to see which barriers you should avoid.
If individuals with disabilities cannot access the public restrooms in a comfortable way, they will not come and use your park. These restrooms should feature accessible entrances and universal changing tables, as well as toilets and sinks at differing heights. Providing a restroom with a full-size changing table enables families who need this support to enjoy a full day at the park.
Tip: Place your accessible restrooms in close proximity to all playgrounds, ball fields and activity areas.
Splash pads and water play areas.
If your park or play project is located near water, consider adding fencing to ensure the safety of children, as we know they are naturally drawn to water. Beach mats can also be a helpful addition to enhance accessibility. For splash pads, remember they’re inherently sensory-rich environments. With a variety of water features—from gentle bubblers to interactive activities, and thrilling dumping buckets—children can choose the experience that best suits their needs.
EVERYONE TAKE PART IN BRINGING THE PLAYGROUND TO LIFE. ADDITIONALLY, IT CREATES A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP THAT ENDURES, ENSURING THE PLAYGROUND IS MAINTAINED AND LOVED FOR YEARS. Community build.
A community build is a great way to involve everyone and create a sense of pride and ownership in the play area. Landscape Structures has a comprehensive Community Build Guide to walk you through the process all the way to the grand opening.
Tip: Include volunteers to entertain and feed those who build — there’s a place for everyone during a community build.
Get the word out.
Make sure families who would enjoy the inclusive features of your playground are aware of its availability. Use your local newspaper, television stations and social media to promote it and its many benefits. Drop off flyers at homes and schools throughout your community. Continue to host special events at the playground well after the grand opening.
Your playground should last for many years to come; regular inspections and proper maintenance will ensure it is safe and compliant. Landscape Structures customizes maintenance kits for each playstructure purchase. The cost and frequency of inspections and maintenance varies depending on the equipment and products you choose. Consult your Landscape Structures playground consultant for assistance.
Tip: Retrofitting and adding to your play area in phases are great ways to update and introduce new activities over time.
Inclusivity—what it means and how best to support it— continues to evolve.
At Landscape Structures, we constantly challenge ourselves to listen, learn and advance our own understanding of what can make play even more inclusive.
To learn more about our pioneering initiatives to date, please visit playlsi.com/inclusive-play.
advocates CEU credits
We work with the following partners because we believe in what they are doing to create equality through play.
• Inclusion Matters® by Shane’s Inspiration
• STAR (Sensory Therapies and Research) Institute
• Jumpstart Bon départ
• Too Small to Fail
• The Miracle League
We are pleased to offer our education seminars to parks and recreation professionals, architects and landscape architects. As an accredited provider of continuing education from the International Association for Continuous Education and Training (IACET), the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System™ (LACES) and the AIAAmerican Institute of Architects, we’re able to offer educational courses that qualify for health, safety, and welfare credits.
Contact your local consultant to host one of our Learning Academy sessions at your local conferences, your office over lunch or during a PLAY Tour of our corporate headquarters in Delano, Minn. playlsi.com/continuing-education
100 Level
• A Higher Level of Inclusive Play
• Everybody Plays: A Guide to Multigenerational Design
• The Miracle League: Every Child Deserves to Play Baseball
• Inclusion of All Sizes: Inclusive Design Strategies for Every Space, Every Budget
• Inclusive Spray Play
200 Level
• Innovation Is Invitation: What’s Next in Inclusive Play
• All Ages, All Abilities, All the Time
• Evidence-Based Landscape and Playground Design
• Inclusive Playground Design: A Case Study of Three New England Playgrounds
• Designing with Sensory Needs in Mind
• The Power of Color: Impacts on Mood, Feelings and Behaviors on the Playground
He feels like he’s just another child. He doesn’t feel excluded from things.
Grason’s Mom Mother of Miracle League player
When you get kids together, they don’t look at each other differently. They just go about playing.
Being all in doesn’t mean your playground has to be the biggest or the broadest. And you don’t have to commit to becoming an inclusive play expert. You just need to be invested in your community, inspired by their insights, and moved to create an innovative playground that’s right for them.
Landscape Structures is ready when you need us. We’re all in so you can be all in.
They didn’t have playgrounds like these when I was little.
Annabelle Young player
We stay longer at the park, Owen’s happier and he’s learning to share.
Owen’s Grandfather
That was just a few years ago, when her parents had to explain the difference between kids not wanting to play with her and not being able to play with her. But once her community built an inclusive playground, Annabelle’s only concern is when she gets to go play with her friends next.
Owen likes to play on lots of things, but quickly becomes overwhelmed and often takes off running. Then he discovered that the Oodle® Swing would help him self-regulate. Now he can enjoy an activity, go swing for a bit, then try out another one. Success!
My child has no limits on her own. It needs more swishy-swashy. You had me at the net.
Dash Landscape Structures Jr. Play Team member
Taylor Mother of Rubye
But sometimes her surroundings do. Rubye has no depth perception, so navigating the typical playground can be intimidating. But when the right contrasting colors are used in strategic areas, for example, Rubye gets to experience play as her full self.
If you like how the We-Go-Swing® offers a ton of movement and can be easily controlled by players of all abilities, you can thank Dash for his suggestions to add even more thrill to the overall experience.
John President of the Landscape Structures Jr. Play Team
LSI Flexx™ is John’s number-one go-to for sure. But it’s just one element on the Smart Play® Volo™. John also likes that the playstructure’s compact size makes it easy to maneuver from one activity to another, with plenty of energy left over to play, play, play.