INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS
How To Plan, Design And Build Inclusive Playgrounds
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Partnerships 
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INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS HELP BUILD COMMUNITIES
Well-designed inclusive play spaces and parks welcome people and especially children of all abilities to play, learn and grow together. But did you know that their benefits extend even further? Inclusive play areas also allow adults of varying ages and abilities to actively engage with the children in their care. The playground can become a truly multi-generational gathering space for community enjoyment, socialization, healthy bodies and imaginative fun.
This online guide can help you in the creation of an inclusive play area unique to your community, from concept through installation and beyond. Our extensive experience allows us to help clients create unique and inclusive play areas in communities, schools, and other public and private institutions.
This online guide can help you in the creation of an inclusive play area unique to your community, from concept through installation and beyond. Our extensive experience allows us to help clients create unique and inclusive play areas in communities, schools, and other public and private institutions.
What is an Inclusive Playground?
A universally designed, sensory-rich environment that enables children to develop physically, socially and emotionally. An engaging place that provides the just-right level of challenge and offers opportunities to succeed. A place that goes beyond minimum accessibility to create play experiences that meet a variety of needs and interests.
At an inclusive playground, children (and adults) of all abilities can interact with each other and do what everyone wants to do: PLAY!
At an inclusive playground, children (and adults) of all abilities can interact with each other and do what everyone wants to do: PLAY!
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Our Design Philosophy
Landscape Structures and General Recreation, Inc. create inclusive areas featuring activities that are age and developmentally appropriate, sensory stimulating and universally designed. Our design philosophy is influenced by the tenets of Universal Design, a theory of design that strives to make environments more usable, safer and healthier for all.
Our collaborative process engages your stakeholders, interprets community needs and ultimately results in a responsive design that reflects your vision. To this we apply our extensive experience with inclusive play, infused by our ongoing research into empirical evidence-based best practices.
This process creates a strong foundation for inclusive playground design, incorporating scientific findings into the play experiences themselves as well as the overall design.
Our collaborative process engages your stakeholders, interprets community needs and ultimately results in a responsive design that reflects your vision. To this we apply our extensive experience with inclusive play, infused by our ongoing research into empirical evidence-based best practices.
This process creates a strong foundation for inclusive playground design, incorporating scientific findings into the play experiences themselves as well as the overall design.
Universal Design
Universal design is a process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation.
— Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDeA Center), University of Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning
— Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDeA Center), University of Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning
Why Embrace universal design?
Because it benefits everyone regardless of condition. Applying Universal Design does not mean that all the fun and risk of a park and playground are eliminated. Instead, it helps to create a place where all can play, learn and grow together.
Roll out the welcome mat
The benefits of inclusive play areas are far-reaching. They are also a welcome resource for parents with disabilities (wounded veterans, for example) and an aging caregiver population who want to interact with the children in their care.
You’ll want to take a look at how accommodating your parking lots, restrooms and pathways are to people of varying abilities. That way, everyone can easily access your playground.
You’ll want to take a look at how accommodating your parking lots, restrooms and pathways are to people of varying abilities. That way, everyone can easily access your playground.
OUR GOALTo Help Communities Create Inclusive Playgrounds for All. |
Find funding sources
Playground and Recreation Grants
Many organizations allocate funds for building or updating playgrounds through grants. These organizations see the benefits playgrounds bring to a community and the development of the whole child – mentally, physically and socially.
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you can build it
Community Build Playgrounds
Constructing a community build playground is not only possible, It's FUN! You just need to find the right partner to work with you through the entire community build process! Our team of experts are happy and ready to assist you.
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who are we?
More About General Recreation, Inc.
For nearly 50 years, we have built all types of recreation facilities: from outdoor fitness equipment and furnishings for public spaces to designing and installing all of the modern commercial playgrounds, aquatic playgrounds and more!
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Play Will Always Shape Us - Our Story - Landscape Structures
Trusted in Commercial Playground Equipment
For nearly 50 years, General Recreation has provided designs, equipment and assisted in building all types of recreation facilities: from playgrounds and site furnishings for public spaces to designing and installing commercial outdoor fitness areas, aquatic playgrounds, safety surfacing, site furnishings, and more. We provide an extensive array of park products and site furnishings, pavilions and gazebos, fabric shade structures, outdoor bleachers, athletic standards, and more.
