10 Features of a Well-Designed Inclusive Playground
1. Universal Accessibility
The playground should be accessible to children of all abilities, including those with mobility impairments. It should have ramps, wide paths, low thresholds, and appropriately designed entrances and exits to allow wheelchair users to move freely.
2. Variety of Play Equipment
It should offer diverse play equipment tailored to the needs of children with varying abilities and interests. This includes swings adapted for children in wheelchairs and those with mobility issues, low slides, carousels with seating and safety systems, climbing elements, and sensory features that generate light and sound.
3. Playground Safety
The playground must be safe, with appropriate surfaces to cushion falls, such as synthetic Flexi-Step surfaces or sand. Equipment should be regularly inspected and certified to comply standards by a certification body accredited. The certificate must be issued under an accredited certification program. For public procurement projects, the certificate must be valid on the day of bid submission, and the bid should include the certificate and the device's technical sheet.4. Interactivity and Cooperation
Playground elements should encourage interaction among children and cooperative play, helping to build social relationships and cooperation skills. This includes team activities like climbing, interactive panels, and sensory toys.
5. Themed Zones
The playground should be divided into different zones, such as climbing, sensory play, water play, sand play, and quiet rest areas, to cater to various needs and interests of children. In modern, aging societies, it is essential to include areas for seniors.
6. Sensory Elements
It should include various sensory-stimulating elements, such as different textures, sounds, lights, colors, and water features, supporting children's sensory development.
7. Clear Signage
All playground elements and zones should be clearly marked with pictograms, writings, and colors to be understandable for all users, including children with communication difficulties.
8. Community Engagement
The design and development of the playground should involve the local community, including parents, children, and specialists, to meet the real needs and expectations of the users.
9. Aesthetics and Maintenance
The playground should be aesthetically designed, clean, and regularly maintained, making it attractive and pleasant for children and their caregivers.
10. Education and Development
It should include educational elements that support children's cognitive and emotional development, such as interactive boards and elements with built-in modules allowing the use of modern technologies, like the LUMO PLAY system, which enables connection to the play equipment via BLUETOOTH.