Guides for inclusive playgrounds for all children, and adults for that matter, basically provide the same information. This post provides links to some of them.
The most universally designed guide, is Everyone Can Play. With just three things to guide: Can I get there? Can I Play? Can I stay?
Water and adventure play, and connection to Country and community, are now part of Everyone Can Play. The original guide broke new ground by taking a universal design approach from guide concept through to the design of the guide itself. The result was a very readable and informative guide with just the right amount of information. The update process followed a similar process. A great example of how an iterative process brings great results.
Inclusive Play guide from South Australia
Connection is a key element: Connect with place, Connect with each other, and Connect with self. The guide touches on aspects of play such as considering the senses and challenging activities across ages and levels of capability. The document concludes with some checklists for the preceding elements. These cover access, landscaping elements, layout, safety and location.
The document was found in a literature review of universal design play guidelines. The review is titled, “Designing public playgrounds for inclusion: a scoping review of grey literature guidelines for Universal Design.
Playspaces: Adventurous and Inclusive
Sanctuary magazine has a great article on nature play in parks and home gardens titled, Playspaces: Child’s play gets serious. Touched by Olivia has achieved many of its aims and is now part of Variety. For academics, the Sanctuary article is also available from Informit.
An article from Denmark discusses the dangers of standardized playground equipment designed by adults with no input from children, who prefer to make their own play. You need institutional access for a free read.
Let’s play together in NZ
A case study from Auckland, New Zealand is a good example of how to create co-designed playspaces. The project began with a review of the existing facilities and how to achieve the outcomes within budget constraints.
The title of the article is, Te Pua Keith Park – Nau mai, Haere mai Let’s Play Together. The article has many photos that highlight the key areas of the playspace. There’s a useful reference list as well.
There is also a magazine article that shows photos of the many park elements and features.
Inclusion in Motion playground
The Town of Canandaigua has partnered with Dream Big! Inclusion in Motion, to bring a new park to the community that features a completely accessible and inclusive playground that everyone can play on, regardless of their level of ability or mobility. The development video gives a design overview. It is being completed as community funds allow.
Play equipment and universal design
The design of playspace equipment and landscape design need to go together for a universally designed play experience. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience a variety of challenging and engaging play experiences. To be inclusive, most equipment should be designed to suit both adults and children. The New South Wales Government has a section in it’s very successful Everyone Can Play guide on play equipment and universal design.
Play equipment is an important part of the play experience and needs to be considered as part of the overall design of a playspace. Consequently, the overall landscape plan and the equipment must work together.
This section of the NSW Planning website also explains the difference between inclusive and accessible design. Accessibility is commonly associated with mobility standards and safety compliance. In playspaces, access standards are important for aspects such as surfacing, equipment design and toilets. Inclusive playspaces go beyond the basics of accessibility.
Typical inclusive play equipment includes a flush carousel, hammock or basket swing, in-ground trampolines, and ramp access to a feature structure. Theme play equipment and use colour palettes that respond to the local context. And ensure surface treatments are easy to use and accessible.
The key point is to do the best you can with the resources available regardless of location or size of the playspace. The guidance lists design steps which includes the six design principle in the Everyone Can Play guide. Not mentioned, but implicit in the guide is to involve the local community in the design of the playspace.
Universal design and play
The NSW Department of Planning website also has a section on inclusive design in relation to playspaces. It covers the definition, who it serves, and why inclusive playspaces are important. The NSW Department of Planning has changed its terminology from the first iteration of Everyone Can Play from universal design to inclusive design. This is to fit with their other planning policies.
Inclusive play spaces are easy to access, have a range of play options and facilities to create a comfortable environment. The key questions are: Can I get there? Can I play? Can I stay? These questions underpin the whole design.
Inclusive playspaces provide a welcoming place where everyone feels comfortable and can enjoy play experiences together. A sub section of the webpage includes an explanation of universal design and how it informs the Everyone Can Play Guide.
Building playgrounds for children
Inclusive play spaces are receiving more attention, but which equipment and design features are most suitable? Children, parents, teachers, landscape designers and equipment manufacturers all have a stake in the outcome. This means there are often gaps between what is required, what is available and what gets implemented.