June 3rd, 2025
Every child deserves the chance to experience the fun of playing on the playground with their friends. For children with disabilities, a traditional playground can create barriers that leave children feeling disappointed and left out of a core childhood memory. With some thoughtful research and playground design changes, it's not difficult to build an accessible playground for children of all abilities to enjoy.
The first step to creating an accessible playground is to determine the goal of the space. ADA compliant playgrounds simply meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These requirements include:
- Accessible routes to the play area and within the play area. These accessible routes should lead from the parking lot, sidewalk, and connecting playground equipment and should be at least 36 inches wide with a gentle slope.
- Accessible playground surface materials allow people using wheelchairs and mobility devices to be able to navigate around the playground.
- Accessible play components include elevated play structures and ground level play elements. At least 50% of the elevated equipment must be accessible by ramps or transfer systems. Depending on the number of elevated play elements changes the number of required ground level components. A playground with 8 elevated components should also have 2 ground level features.
- Vertical clearance of at least 80"" throughout all the accessible routes to avoid head injuries.
- Alterations and maintenance of accessible equipment shouldn't cause any elements to become not ADA compliant.
The Americans with Disabilities website provides a complete list of ADA compliant requirements for public playgrounds.
While ADA compliant playgrounds meet the required standards, an accessible playground takes those requirements a step further to create an inclusive space where any person can access the full playground experience. Accessible playground design looks at the whole child and proves experiences that cater to not only physical needs, but also sensory, emotional, and cognitive needs as well.
Accessible Physical Playground Features
A truly inclusive and accessible playground is more than just the equipment. From the moment a caregiver and child arrive at a playground there are choices to make that will support a more inclusive experience. That means considering how accessible the parking lot is, to the entrances, to the surface material around the equipment.
Accessible Playground Surface Materials
Accessible playground design begins on the ground. Choosing the right accessible playground surface material can make or break the inclusive experience. The ADA requires the playground safety surface to comply with the ASTM F-1951 for fall protection. This standard is to determine which of the most popular surface options are firm and stable enough to be accessible for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. The most popular safety surface options are:
Wood Mulch is a great budget friendly surfacing option and does meet the ADA compliancy requirements. However, because wood mulch is a loose fill surface option, extra care is required when it's installed to create and maintain an accessible space. For wood mulch to be accessible it will need to be installed in layers and compacted to create a solid enough surface for mobility devices.
Rubber mulch is another loose fill surface option that is considered ADA compliant. While it is a bigger investment up front, it provides a soft and safe surface.
Pour in Place Rubber is a seamless rubber surface that creates one of the most accessible and inclusive surfaces.
Artificial Turf gives the appearance of grass but is more impact absorbing and provides an accessible surface.
Ramps, Entrances, Pathways, and Parking Lots
Choosing the right inclusive surface is just one part of creating a truly accessible playground. Ramps and transfer stations are important throughout the space including:
- Entering the play area
- Incorporated into the play structure
- In the parking lot if needed
Transfer stations allow kids to transfer from a mobility device onto play equipment. However, ramps are the preferred method of making play structures accessible to children.
To design a fully inclusive environment, the parking lot is another area to consider while planning. Include designated parking spots or consider including a clearly marked drop-off zone. Throughout the space, paths, sidewalks, and entrances should be at least 60" wide.
Inclusive Playground Equipment
The main playground structure is only a piece of creating an accessible playground experience. While the ADA has requirements on the number of ground level play items a playground must have to be compliant, independent play items provide many benefits for kids.
Accessible and Inclusive Playground Swings
Swings are a timeless staple that have been adapted from the traditional belt and bucket seats to be more inclusive. Adding accessible swings to your playground plan is a relatively inexpensive way to add another elements for all kids to be able to enjoy. Inclusive swings include options with:
- Extended headrests
- Reclined seats with full arm and leg rests
- Wheelchair platforms
An exciting take on accessible swings has been adding inclusive seats to zipline style equipment.
Ground Level Playground Equipment
Ground level play components are equipment pieces that are accessed directly from the ground level, no climbing or ramps needed. This ensures that children who don't want to transfer onto elevated equipment are provided with a variety of play activities. The ADA has two requirements regarding ground level play equipment:
- One of each kind of ground level play must be on an accessible route.
- The total number of ground level play components is based on the number of elevated elements.
For example, if a playground has a structure that includes 8 play components that offer a total of 4 types of play, the playground will need 2 ground level pieces of equipment that offer a total of 4 types of play. Ground level play equipment includes:
Make a Playground Accessible with Sensory Friendly Design
Accessible playgrounds aren't limited to supporting physical abilities. Inclusive playgrounds can cater to children with sensory processing and developmental delays by focusing on sensory friendly design. Including sensory friendly equipment will make a playground more inclusive overall.
Sensory Play Panels
Sensory friendly equipment is growing in popularity for children with sensory process disorders and developmental or cognitive delays, as well as early childhood aged kids. Sensory friendly equipment:
- Provides stimulation
- Promotes cognitive and motor skill development
- Encourages creativity and social interaction
Features like sand boxes, play panels, and playhouses can be included as independent play items or are often already included on the side of the play structure,. Including these sensory friendly play activities give all kids the chance to play alongside their peers.
Quiet Zones and Shaded Areas
Creating a sensory accessible environment includes having a quiet zone for children that are easily overwhelmed. If you're designing a school playground this provides kids with a place to sit and observe while not being left out. If the quiet zone is in a public park, it will give parents a place to supervise from. A parent that is standing in the heat watching their child play will most likely be ready to leave a lot sooner than a parent comfortably lounging in the shade and socializing with other parents.
Accessible and Inclusive Playground Signs
A commonly forgotten area of accessibility is playground signage. When it comes to making sure signs are inclusive there are a few things to remember:
- Pace sign along the most accessible routes to ensure people won't have to take unnecessary detours to read them.
- Include widely used symbols with the text.
- Keep information short and to the point.
- Signs should be installed at a height that is readable by children, adults, and people in wheelchairs.
Social and Emotional Inclusive Playgrounds
When designing an inclusive playground, it's important to think of the space as a whole. Incorporating accessible equipment seamlessly into the project layout allows all kids to be able to play together. Include features that encourage social interaction such as:
- Buddy benches
- Playground structures
- Group spring riders
- Outdoor musical instruments
Having these elements in one central location allows kids to interact and play side by side, teaching empathy, kindness, and builds confidence.
A majority of inclusive and accessible playground equipment doesn't look or work any different from any other playground equipment, and it's also meant to be used by everyone (that's what makes it inclusive). Creating one playground with all the equipment is important. The chosen accessible features shouldn't be separated into a different area.
Regular Maintenance to Maintain an Inclusive Environment
Playground project planning doesn't end when the playground equipment is installed. Ongoing maintenance will be important to keep the space accessible and inclusive.
Performing Regular Inspections
Perform regular walkthroughs and inspections to look for any
- Cracks
- Loose hardware
- Worn out play equipment
- Tripping hazards like debris or sharp edges
This will ensure that any problems are handled efficiently and the playground remains accessible.
Maintaining Inclusive Surfacing
Depending on which safety surface material is chosen, more or less work will need to be done regularly to maintain both ADA compliance and accessibility. Loose fill surfaces will need to be raked, compacted, and replenished more frequently to ensure they are packed down solid enough to be considered accessible. This is especially true in high traffic areas like the bottom of slides and swings where it is more likely to be displaced.
Community Involvement and Inclusive Design Input
If you're feeling overwhelmed by what makes a playground accessible, getting the receiving community involved can help make sure you are providing accessible features that are going to be used and appreciated.
Engaging with Families with Disabilities
Depending on what kind of organization you are building an accessible playground for, whether it's a church, school, or city park, consider hosting a community meeting for members to attend and give their input. For a smaller project like a daycare or neighborhood sending a survey to families might be sufficient. Whether you choose an in person session or an email survey, asking questions like:
- "What accessibility needs exist within the community?"
- "What playground features are most wanted?"
- "What inclusive elements have been missing from other playgrounds you've visited?"
Will provide you with useful information when you begin playground project planning.
Collaborating with Occupational Therapists
If you're designing a large scale city park or public school playground, the more input the better. Consulting with occupational therapists may provide the extra expertise you need when it comes to making the best choices for accessibility. They will be able to evaluate the overall playground layout and determine whether it will be navigable for everyone, as well as examine the social opportunities of the play activities.
Final Thoughts
Words matter when it comes to playground design. It's important to be clear from the beginning on the goal of the playground. Do you want to build an ADA compliant playground and meet the legal standards and requirements, or is your vision a completely accessible and inclusive play space? Designing an ADA compliant playground is the standard, but creating and accessible and inclusive playground is going a step further to create an area where kids of all different abilities feel welcome and included. If you're ready to take that step start here: