Making Playgrounds Accessible

Pictorial tour of Imagination Station, an inclusive playground in Oconomowoc, WI. It was built with hundreds of volunteers. http://www.accessibleplayground.net/?p=2854

Wordless Wednesday--Take a pictorial tour of Brendan's Playground, an inclusive playground in O'Fallon, MO http://www.accessibleplayground.net/?p=2758

On accessibleplayground.net: Wordless Wednesday--a pictorial tour of Clemy Playground, a great accessible playground in McClean, VI http://www.accessibleplayground.net/?p=2738

Check out this amazing accessible playground that will be built in Hickory, North Carolina. Hickory is a KaBOOM! Playful City USA and was recently awarded a Let’s Play City Construction Grant, which will be used toward this new community-built playspace.

http://www.playgroundforzahra.org/playground.html

The playground will be built in honor of the late Zahra Baker, a 10-year old member of the Hickory community. Their incredible playground design will ensure that children of all abilities can access and play on all areas of the playspace and play together with all of their friends. The final design features ramped access to the structure, ground level panels, low level activities, accessible swings, and a swaying seesaw for youth of all abilities, called an AeroGlider.

This playground will be the result of a spectacular community effort, where many community members will contribute through financial donations, donation of resources, and volunteering during the construction of the structure. According to the project website, “the original goal was to raise $85,000 to build an all-children’s playground, and thanks to the generosity from the community, businesses, foundations, and grants, more than $170,000 has been raised.”

Hickory’s playground is an excellent effort of what can be achieved through community efforts and dedication to the cause of play for all members of their community. It will be great to see everyone playing together once this is completed in the spring of 2012!

A stepping stone pathway is a great way to make the entrance of your playground accessible. You can also involve kids in the entire project. Purchase some cement pavers, paint, paint supplies, and pathway sand. Paint fun designs on the pavers, create a level surface and lay the bricks. You can spruce up the area with bright colors while creating a inviting entrance for all to play! Check out the pictures below for great ideas.

Playworld Systems has a new Inclusive Play Design Guide available at: http://playworldsystems.com/inclusive. I know that our most active member in this group definitely knows about this new initiative :) but I still thought I'd share it out. I am particularly excited about using the flashcard type tool featured in Step 3!

Do all inclusive playgrounds need to be huge? I found a small playground in Tel Aviv that only had six pieces, placed on pour in place. I felt that it had something for everyone and made a nice neighborhood park. You can read the story at www.playbyplayworld.com and see the pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/63561882@N02/sets/72157627250130914

If I could just drive around the country playing on great inclusive playgrounds, here is where I would go. Where would you go? http://p0.vresp.com/JkKP85

BUILDING A PLAYGROUND IN BRITISH COLUMBIA? Tire Stewardship BC, the association responsible for managing the provincial scrap tire-recycling program, is now accepting applications for its third annual Community Grant Program.

The Community Grant Program provides matching funds, up to a maximum of $20,000, for BC not-for-profit organizations, schools and municipalities that use BC recycled rubber in their projects.

The closing date for applications is April 29, 2011. For more information: www.tsbc.ca

Do we really need ramps to make playgrounds accessible?

Do we really need ramps to make a playground accessible? Go and view the video and then let's have a conversation. http://ow.ly/2IeQg 

Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary Updates Playground With Colorful Game Stencils and New Recess Equipment

NEWS from the Hendrick Hudson School District

Dr. Daniel McCann, Schools Superintendent
Marion Walsh, Board of Education President

www.henhudschools.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: 257-5112
June 1, 2010

Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary Updates Playground With Colorful Game Stencils and New Recess Equipment

Buchanan, NY –The Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary School in Buchanan, NY, part of the Hendrick Hudson School District, announced that it unveiled an updated playground for its students and the community.  Improvements included colorful new pavement games, such as a sunflower shaped hopscotch, alligator hopscotch and brightly painted four-square games, as well as new play yard equipment.  The game stencils and equipment were purchased thanks to grants obtained thru the Buchanan-Verplanck PTA and the District’s Food Services Department.

“As parents and educators, the PTA wanted to ensure that recess time was educational and a healthy place to let off some energy and enjoy fresh air with friends.  There is a great deal of learning that happens outside of the classroom, and the additions to our playground are already helping to foster sharing and new friendships.  The stencils and the equipment have provided an excellent platform for the BV students to learn new games, practice good behavior, and enhance both physical and social skills while having lots of fun,” said Shari Munitz, PTA Grant Committee Chairperson.

Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary School physical education teacher, Derek Kisslinger, fourth grade teacher, Alex Levine, resource room teacher, Jim Dobbs and fifth grade teacher, Michael Variano, spearheaded the playground renovation and equipment purchase project.  Teacher Aides Audrey Tandy, Dawn Gauthier, Roberta Nohai, Maria Rose, Patricia Kehoe and Kathleen Bertoline, along with PTA member, Andrea O’Malley helped paint the actual stencils on the pavement.

 “Thanks has to go to the PTA and Food Services for their generosity and commitment and to the members of the PTA and elementary school staff who volunteered their time to paint the game stencils with these great vibrant colors,” said Mr. Kisslinger.  “We have noticed that our students are more physically active now during recess than they were before these improvements were made.”

The game stencils were purchased from local playground stencil company, Creative Pavement Stencils (CPStencils), who also donated the use of a large four-square stencil to help attract the older elementary students to the new playground.  CPStencils is a nationally known company whose affordable and easy-to-apply game stencils were designed to improve physical fitness, enhance education and stimulate children's imaginations.

“It’s great to see the children enjoying the new equipment and playground games,” said Clare Carey, Director of Food Services.   “Creating an environment where being physically active is fun for the kids works well with our efforts to provide excellent nutrition for the students that tastes great too.  Physical activity and good nutrition go hand and hand in the fight against childhood obesity.”

In addition to the new playground games, the grant money was also used to purchase each classroom its own recess pack containing balls, hula hoops and jump ropes.  This new ownership provides the students with the opportunity to demonstrate that they are accountable for and respectful of the equipment, two objectives of the building’s overall PBIS initiative. 

“It’s amazing to see how diligent the students have been with the regards to taking care of and keeping track of the equipment,” stated Levine.  “Each class is really working together as a team.”

Are you voting for play?

Pepsi Refresh Everything Project is supporting community projects all over the country.  Are you helping to make the decision of where the money goes.  You can vote every day for 10 projects.

Congratulations to the May winners of the Pepsi Refresh Everything project.  Here are the winners who are building playspaces:

Replace an unsafe playground & bring joy to 600 children! http://www.refresheverything.com/projectplaygroundcp

Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady: Craig Street Clubhouse Complete construction of playground. http://www.refresheverything.com/craigstreetplayground

Rebuild our indoor playground that was lost in the snow storm of 2010 http://www.refresheverything.com/kentislanddiscoveryzone

Now it is time to start voting for the June projects

Here are the links for the projects that you can vote for that help children of all abilities play in their communities.  There are hundred more amazing projects.  So make it a point to vote for your top 10 projects everyday.

http://www.refresheverything.com/angiedudzinskiwhiteplainschildrencenter

http://www.refresheverything.com/carderkoalarun

http://www.refresheverything.com/buildaplaygroundbuildahealthychild

http://www.refresheverything.com/actnowplayforever

http://www.refresheverything.com/cesplayground

http://www.refresheverything.com/siragusaschoolplaygroundproject

http://www.refresheverything.com/indiancreeklinnmar

http://www.refresheverything.com/nikeelementary

http://www.refresheverything.com/tilden

http://www.refresheverything.com/angiedudzinskiwhiteplainschildrencenter

http://www.refresheverything.com/suffolky

http://www.refresheverything.com/accessibleplayground

http://www.refresheverything.com/taylorsdream

http://www.refresheverything.com/specialneedsplaygroundblenheimsc

http://www.refresheverything.com/breainclusiveplayground

http://www.refresheverything.com/everythingmovesthesenses

http://www.refresheverything.com/communityspecialneedsfocusedplayspace

http://www.refresheverything.com/helphope

15 accessible playgrounds opened around the country in May

Last month was an incredible one for people who want more accessible playgrounds.  Fifteen barrier-free accessible playgrounds opened or were dedicated in May from Rhode Island to Texas.  Not all of the playgrounds meet the accessibleplayground.net criteria as some are not open to the public and others use engineered wood fiber.  So you won’t find all of them in the directory, but we know how hard these communities worked hard and we wanted to celebrate with them.   Some of these playgrounds took many, many, many years for the community to raise the money.  The stories are varied, but they all in common that parents wanted a place where all children could play together.

We are accessibleplayground.net congratulate these communities and the people behind the playground effort for their success.  The kids will be having fun this summer!

Colorado Springs, CO–Swing High Playground

Berea City, KY— Located at the Berea City Park Expansion 450 North Broadway Street behind the Folk Center. The structure is fully ramped. . The new playground includes 5 Slides, 4 educational Panels, overhead climber, a free standing climbing and boulder wall and more!  . The surfacing is engineered wood fiber.

Belvidere, IL—Bloom Playground in Belvidere Park

Marshfield Township, MA–The Marshfield Kids at Play Park

Bellingham, MA– Kasper Playground located in  Kasper Park at Silver Lake on Cross Street. Includes both a tot area and an area for older children. The playground has accessible swings. Surfacing is engineered wood fiber.

Valhalla, NY–Mount Pleasant Blythedale School at Blythedale Children’s Hospital

Westerville, OH—Millstone Creek Park

Manchester Township, PA—Inspiring H.O.P.E.

Boyertown, PA

Providence, RI— CVS Caremark Boundless Playground at The Marshall Family Park

Temple, TX–Rotary Playground in Lions Park

Humble, TX–Foster Elementary School

Virginia Beach, VI—J.T.’s Grommet Island

Harrisonburg, Va.– The Dream Come True playground

Spokane Valley, WA–Discovery Playground

Read more blogs from accessibleplayground.net

Common Ground--A Field of Dreams; Amazing Inclusive Playground

Here is a description of Common Ground Playground in Lakeland, FL by guest Blogger Pam Page.

In 2009 the City of Lakeland opened its first inclusive playground featuring unique play experiences for children of varying physical and cognitive abilities.  Our field of dreams, Common Ground, utilized Forever lawn synthetic turf to cover over 25,000 square feet of play zones to connect our barrier free play elements.  From Gopher Mountain to Adventure Canyon, from Sculpture Gulch to Rockslide Gap and from Sway Valley to Butterfly Meadow children run, crawl, roll, creep, sit  and slide on Forever lawn, synthetic turf.

Forever lawn safety surface was selected for our community playground because it creates the natural looking green environment so critical to our design while providing barrier free safety fall zones that protect our children.  Common Ground is situated in central Florida.  Forever lawn enables us to maximize our children’s outdoor play time.  Our play surface drains almost instantly even after a tropical torrential rain and it remains cooler than other safety surface options.  Integrated planting beds placed throughout the play elements increase the tactile, olfactory, auditory and visual sensory perception of children; artificial turf surrounds the natural beds and accentuates the flower and vegetative color while enabling the children to interact with the landscape.  Forever lawn allows even transition from hard paved sidewalks to the cushioned safety surface with barrier free edging.

A primary feature of the playground is Gopher Mountain.  This eight foot above grade surface with its tunnels and climbing ports is covered with Forever Lawn.  Since the first hour of open play, children have automatically moved to this feature to experience sliding, rolling, and running up and down its natural slopes.  No other covering could provide the same natural experience as successfully, or stand up under the rigorous demands on these varying slopes designed to challenge different ability levels.

Read more...

Richmond's New Tug Boat Playground

Here is a follow up on the story about the Winter Olympics in Vancouver where community groups worked to leave behind three accessible playgrounds for the children of the area to play on.  The playground in Richmond was built as part of the Middle Arm Greenway improvements which included in addition to the playground, public art, dyke upgrades and state-of-the-art play stations for children.

At the south end of the Greenway, Shane’s Inspiration and Cre8play worked together on an innovative playground.  The playground is designed to look like a real sized Tug Boat.  It includes 2 slides, an observation deck, a control room, a log ADA transfer station,interactive sounds, a bell to ring and it is all accessible by a wide ramp.  You have to try the sounds out, they are really fun.

Below are pictures of the playground thanks to Cre8play and the City of Richmond.

Tug Boat Playground in Richmond

Tug Boat Playground in Richmond

Extra tactile play items throughout the playground

Olympics will leave behind 3 new inclusive playgrounds

Three world-class, accessible playgrounds are being built in Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond,  the venue cities for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.  So once all of the athletes, media and visitors leave this beautiful area with their medals and memories, the children of Vancouver will be left to PLAY!

Treehouse at Whistler's new Accessible Playground

The playgrounds are thanks to Legacy 2010, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada and the Let’s Play Project, a partnership of the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Province of B.C.

The Vancouver playground will be located at Kitsilano Beach Park; the Richmond playground will be located along the Middle Arm Waterfront Greenway, close to the Olympic Oval; and the Whistler playground is being built at the Celebration Plaza.

The first phase of the 60 Whistler playground opened just  in time for Games at Celebration Plaza.  The second phase will go in after Olympics. The playground in Vancouver will be finished later in 2010.

The playground in Richmond was built as part of the Middle Arm Greenway improvements. Opened just in time for the games,

New equipment at the Whistler Accessible Playground

the Greenway has public art, dyke upgrades and state-of-the-art play stations for children.  At the south end of the greenway there are three innovative accessible play spaces, supported by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada. These include a sound garden with drums, parabolic dishes and other sound equipment. Other spaces feature a play tugboat, and a playscape with soft, tactile elements and rolling pathways.

Pictures thanks to The 2010 Whistler Accessibility Blog (The WFTD Society)

Read about many other playgrounds at www.accessibility.net

All Are Welcome Here

“Architecture is evangelism.” I heard it said in the context of church buildings. The speaker was making the point that a ramp at the back of the sanctuary might comply with ADA standards, but it isn’t exactly welcoming to individuals in wheelchairs. I’ve been trying to think of an equally pithy way to state this truth for the rest of the world. “Architecture sends a message” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, but the point stands. The way our buildings, homes, and public spaces are constructed says everything about which people we want to see in those places.

Last week, my mother and I took my kids to our first Boundless playground, a playground intentionally designed to include children with a variety of strengths and abilities. I noticed the swings first—a few that looked the same as every other playground, and two with full back support and harnesses, big enough to hold an elementary-school aged child. Our daughter Penny, age four, has Down syndrome, and I remember the days when she could only spend 60 seconds in a swing before needing to get down. That low muscle tone made it hard to hold her head up, so the enjoyment of swinging was limited by the design of the swing. At this playground, those bright yellow swings stood out as an invitation for any child to swing with abandon.

And then I noticed that the path up to the slide was quite wide. Wide enough, in fact, for a wheelchair. Along the way up, we discovered “stations”—Braille on one plastic board, a xylophone elsewhere, knobs and different textures lining the walls. Penny and William, our 18-month old son, didn’t seem to notice anything different. They just thought it was fun to slide and swing and seesaw, play peekaboo, run and climb and spin.

A few years ago, it took courage for me to take Penny to a playground. I wondered what questions I might get, particularly, “How old is she?” and then a surprised look when I said “Two,” and they watched her take those tentative early steps, watched her tiny body navigate whatever treacherous structure loomed ahead. I worried about older children knocking her down. I wasn’t even sure she would have fun, since she couldn’t run and jump and climb like other kids her age.

Read the rest at http://www.accessibleplayground.net/?p=766

This article was written by By Amy Julia Becker who blogs at Thin Places, at www.amyjuliabecker.blogspot.com.  The article was orginally published in BLOOM–Parenting Kids with Disabilities (http://bloom-parentingkidswithdisabilities.blogspot.com/)  Used with permission

Landscape Structures Takes Playgrounds to A Higher Level of Inclusive Play™

Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano, Minn.-based commercial playground manufacturer, introduced A Higher Level of Inclusive Play™, a revolutionary playground design solution that will provide new sensory play experiences for children of all abilities, and establish new standards for inclusive playgrounds worldwide. Landscape Structures’ goal with its Inclusive Play solution is to include children with autism and sensory disorders, and lead the creation of a new generation of inclusive playgrounds.

As part of this solution, Landscape Structures launched a suite of Sensory Play products that will

Sensory Play Center

create welcoming play environments for all children especially those with autism or sensory processing disorders. The five new products were designed to provide rich tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, visual and auditory experiences, as well as help develop motor-planning skills and increase social/imaginative play opportunities. In addition, with the help of industry experts the company’s team of in-house playground designers has developed Sensory Design Criteria that now guide all inclusive playground designs.

Designers of inclusive playgrounds strive to serve children of all abilities and, until now, their playground designs have largely focused on accessibility and developmental appropriateness. With its Inclusive Play solution, Landscape Structures contends that each playground should address the sensory needs of all children and welcome those with autism and other sensory processing disorders into the play environment.

Read the rest of the blog and see more pictures at accessibleplayground.net

Add an ADA table and add play value to your accessible playground

There are many different ways to encourage people of all abilities and ages to play together.  When I was at the National Parks and Recreation (NRPA) Congress, I saw a unique table that I would encourage anyone who is building an accessible playground to add.  It is a fun way to promote inclusive play.

The table is an ADA picnic table, meaning there is a seat left off the design, so that a person using a wheelchair can wheel right up to the table.  There are hundreds of these tables available from many manufacturers.  Depending on the size of park you are building you may be obligated to add ADA picnic tables.

This table is different from all of the others.  It adds play value in addition to a place to sit and eat.  As you can see from the picture there is a checker/chess board and backgammon game on the surface of the table.  We have all seen pictures of people playing fast chess on tables in parks.  This table lets a person who uses a chair to join in the play.

Read the rest at accessibleplayground.net including how KaBOOM can help you make a table.

Amazing Mother Builds Amazing Accessible Playground

Amelia Grace Place in Rockport, MA was built with true love. After Amelia died at age 10 from Angelman's Syndrome, her entire family got behind her mother's efforts to build a playground in her memory.  Read all about it at http://www.accessibleplayground.net/?p=486

Let Kids Play Newsletter

I am pleased to announce that the September addition of the Let Kids Play Newsletter has just been published.  This month's featured playground is Morgan's Wonderland.  It will be a 26 acre accessible playground in TX. You have to read it to believe it.   There is also an article about our new website www.accessibleplayground.net which includes a directory of accessible playgrounds throughout North America.

The link to read the newsletter is http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/461203/fa05dd30ed/1681501428/46164d8a11/

If you enjoy it, make sure you visit www.letkidsplay.com and sign up to receive it on a regular basis.

Mara

New Accessible Playground Directory

Let Kids Play is putting together a directory of all of the accessible playgrounds in North America and I need your help.

If you know of an accessible playground, please help me share it with people who are looking for a place to play. 

The criteria to be included in the directory is that the playground surfacing must be pour-in-place, tiles, or playground grass; it must have been designed with the intention to go beyond ADA, and it must be open to the public. 

If you know of a playground that fits this criteria, please send me 
1. The name of the playground 
2. The name of the park it is in (if different) 
3. The address 
4. A link for more information about the playground (if there is one) 
5. Any description you have of the playground.

Thanks so much!  Mara

Inclusivity Assessor

I have become a certified Inclusivity Assessor and Inclusive Advocate from the New York State Inclusive Recreation Resource Center.

The Inclusivity Assessment Tool that I use is has been rigorously designed to capture valid, reliable, and necessary information about the inclusivity of a recreation agency or program. The Tool describes the physical aspects of a recreation agency, as well as the administrative and program practices that promote inclusion. The information collected with the tool is descriptive, functional, and detailed, so that users of recreation programs, areas, and facilities can make better plans for inclusive recreation.

If anyone is interested in having their recreation sites assessed or training on inclusion, I would love to work with you. An assessment is not scary, it is not filled with legalize. It provides you a good description of your site that you can provide to someone with a disability so that the person can make their own decision whether they are able to use your recreation site. It can be a very helpful document when looking for grant funding.

Depending on the number of facilities you have I can complete a full Parks and Recreation department in one day. This will provide detailed information on each of your parks, swimming pools and community centers.

The New York Inclusive Recreation Resource Center has taken on the wonderful mission of creating a website that describes every recreation place in the state, explaining the level of the place's accessibility.  This way every consumer can make an informed decision of where they want to spend their time recreating.  If you live in the state, check out thier website and get involved.  You can make sure the places where you spend time are included in the directory.

Gateway Wetlands Slideshow

Enjoy this slide show of a small park that is part of the Gateway Wetlands in Boilingbrook, IL outside of Chicago.  It has a wonderful accessible swing and unique play equipment.  Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UdVTbur-PE

Hessel Park Slide Show

Enjoy this slideshow of children playing in Hessel Park, Champaign, IL.  This was an early accessible playground.  ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHSNt5zVDeE

Nature Playgrounds

What are "Natural playgrounds"?

Read more, look at many pictures, and find more resources at Let Kids Play!

They are play environments that blend natural materials, features, and
vegetation with creative landforms to create purposely complex play spaces
with high levels of play value.  Natural Playgrounds provide children with all
the same benefits as typical playgrounds: gross motor activity, risk taking,
problem solving, social interaction, etc.  Natural Playgrounds also teaches
children about the wonders and intricacies of the natural world.

A totally accessible natural playground creates a beautiful, outdoor play and
learning environment.  Play components could include:

• Earth shapes
• Hills to roll down
• Environmental art
• Trees to climb
• Logs to climb through
• Shrubs
• Grasses
• Flowers
• Boulders or other rock structures
• Dirt and sand
• Natural fences (stone, willow, wooden)
• Textured pathways, and
• Natural water features

Each Natural Playground is different as they are designed to fit the landscape
where they are being located.  Below are a list of websites where you can see
pictures of many varieties of Natural Playgrounds.

Natural Playgrounds do not replace commercially made equipment.  Children
need both types of playspaces.  Natural Playgrounds are perfect for schools
as they can also function as outdoor classrooms.  Natural Playgrounds often
cost much less to design and create than traditional playgrounds.

Read more, look at many pictures, and find more resources at www.letkidsplay.com

Tejo Remy's Playground Fences

Here are pictures of Dutch designer Tejo Remy's Playground Fence from Inhabitat's 2007 reclaiming design event. If anyone says fencing has to be ugly, show them these. Tejo Remy is looking for public commissions so if you are planning a destination playground, you might want to contact him. This fence eliminates all questions of ascetics and play value. It is beautiful and children will use it in wonderful pretend play games. It not only makes your playground more accessible, but creates places for parents to sit and watch their children play. If parents are comfortable, the children get to stay and play longer. It also provides for children with disabilities who tire quickly a place to rest and still feel as though they are part of the play.

If you can't afford something as big and amazing as this, show the pictures to a metal artist in your area and maybe you can come up with something that will make your playground unique.

Swings are Essential to an Accessible Playground

This is my son Samuel. He is almost 16 years old and he has loved swinging since he was a baby. That wonderful smile you see on his face is always there when he is in a swing. You can hear the laughter for miles.

If you are building an Accessible Playground, don't forget the swings. If money is tight, leave out some of the ramps and use the money to add swings in instead. Put in regular swings, a bucket seat like Samuel is in, toddler swings, tire swings. Put in as many swings of all types as you can.

• During my research on what parents who are raising children with autism say about playgrounds, the number one thing they all say is "You Have to Have Swings"

• Every child needs to experience vestibular motion which is the sense of movement. Children with disabilities often require even more vestibular input and can actually crave the sensation.

• How many happy memories do have of being in a swing or pushing your child in a swing?

There are always questions about the liability of swings, the space for swings, the money for swings--but I am telling you here and now if you are building an accessible playground, it will not truly be for all, if you don't put in swings!

One of the First Accessible Playgrounds Going Strong

I grew up in Champaign, IL which makes me a pretty lucky kid because with over 500 acres of parkland within the city limits, Champaign has one of the highest ratios of park land to developed land of any American city.

My favorite park growing up was Hessel Park. It was where we met all of our friends for a huge Fourth of July picnic. You could sit on the ground and see the fireworks from the football stadium a mile away. There were tennis courts, a playground and best of all on old fire truck to play on.

The old fire truck is long gone--liability issues and all that. (People should really think some of those issues, but that is another blog for another day). But about 10 years ago Ambucs of Champaign-Urbana put in one of the first accessible playgrounds in the country.

They used the topography to bring the sidewalk right up to the top of the playground. So we could take Samuel up to the top and then take him over a jumping bridge. There was a panel set up as a store that when Samuel and Shoshana were little they would sit on either side and Shoshana would play restaurant with Samuel as the customer.

There is a spray park which has parts where the wheel chair can easily be pushed through. There is also a large sandbox with easy transfer or you can push the wheelchair to one of the tables. As a young child, Samuel's wheelchair fit great at the those tables and we put sand on the table for him to play with. They even have accessible picnic table.

In the ten years since, since I first found Hessel's accessible playgrounds, I have found many more extensive and more effective playgrounds. However, this one holds a special place in my heart. It was the first one I ever visited with Samuel. It made me cry to see how someone put time into making a place for my son to play.

I now expect all playgrounds to be somewhat accessible. Although it would be great if they all were truly usable which certainly means going beyond ADA requirements. However, I will always recommend Hessel Park--they were before their times--I loved it as a child, Samuel loved it as a child and now I get to enjoy watching my my nieces & nephews are using the park. (which I will talk about in the next blog).

So if you are ever visiting Champaign, IL, go and visit Hessel Park. If you are going in the Summer, make sure you bring a towel for the spray park.

You can see current day pictures of Hessel Park at http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=89637a1f8a3ebf60098b6a&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

How to Create an Accessible Playground by Choosing the Right Surfacing

It is the surfacing the makes or breaks an accessible playground. When designing a playground, you are faced with many options for surfacing, each has their own benefits. However, you only have a few choices if you want a truly usable playground for children of all abilities.

Here are the questions your playground committee needs to ask:

What can we afford?
Do we have the staff to conduct daily maintenance so we are ensured the surfacing is safe?
How are we going to meet ADA?
Do we want children of all abilities to be able to interact and play on the playground with their peers?

Over the next few days I will help you answer these questions.

The first thing you must know is that you may NOT use asphalt, grass, concrete or soil as surfacing underneath a playground. These surfacing types do not meet safety guidelines.

There are two other general categories of surfacing: loose fill or synthetic material. All loose fill surfacing requires daily raking to maintain the required depth of the material that ensure the safety of children. They also require yearly replenishment. Often this type of maintenance does not occur creating unsafe playgrounds. In addition, loose fill is often tracked into buildings requiring additional maintenance indoors.

Pea gravel, sand and wood chips are loose-fill but do not meet ADA. However, you can use other surfacing to create paths to the entry point of the play equipment and it will enable your playground to meet the requirements.

The disadvantages of pea gravel is that you cannot use this material if your playground is higher than 6'. Also daycare providers have reported that peas gravel fits well in a nostril or an ear, which can result in a visit to the doctor or emergency room to remove.

Sand is one of the easiest products to maintain. You just need to level out the sand if it gets windswept. Children love to play in sand which is both a pro and a con. Cats can use the sand as a liter box. If a bottle get broken in the sand, it will be difficult to remove.

Wood Chips are different from Engineered Wood Fiber, which do meet ADA. Parents have reported they won't go to playgrounds with wood chips or wood fiber because their children are too likely to put it in their mouths.

The loose-fill surfacing that meets ADA are Shredded Rubber and Engineered Wood Fiber. You do not need to use other surfacing to create paths. However, there is a difference between ADA regulations and a child using a wheelchair being able to play on the playground. It is extremely difficult if not impossible to push or wheel a wheelchair through either of these surfaces.

The benefits to these two surfaces are in the cost. They meet ADA and are cost efficient. That is why these are the surfaces you see the most often.

The surfaces that are universally accessible and go beyond ADA to be actually usable for children with disabilities include Pour-in-Place, Rubber mats/tiles, and artificial grass with rubber underneath. The benefits to these surfaces besides the accessibility are the maintenance. You do not need to do daily maintenance to ensure that safety is maintained. There may be times you need to patch areas or sweep it off, but overall there is very little work to do be done.

The problem with these surfaces is the cost. They cost significantly more than loose filled surfacing; however they are your only true choice if you want all children to be able to play on your playground.

Personally, I like the artificial turf. (visit http://www.playgroundgrass.com/ to see what I mean). It looks like real grass and therefore, fits seamlessly into your park. Because it acts like grass, you will often see parents sitting on it while a young child crawls around. I have not seen this with any other type of surfacing. For children who have difficulty making transitions, I have seen them sit in the grass for awhile and then slowly move to a ground level piece of equipment.

Because it is a little bouncy thanks to the loose rubber underneath, children feel safer and are willing to try something slightly outside of their comfort zone. If there is a lot of play traffic, the surface can become slightly unlevel with dips in the grass. If the dips are not too extreme, it can actually add to the benefits of the playground for a child with a disability. The adulations allow children to practice walking or wheeling in a natural setting enabling them to practice balancing. If the dips become extreme they must be fixed which can be time consuming and costly.