Playgrounds encourage activity, which has often meant that kids with disabilities are excluded from them in the past, but Dobson Ranch Park is designed to allow everyone to play. The Mesa, Arizona park features inclusive designs that let children with disabilities play on even the most adventurous elements.
Like many playgrounds, Dobson Ranch Park has both a ground level and an upper layer. However, rather than connecting these strata through ladders or steps, there is a fun, twisting system of ramps that articulate the spaces.
The ground level features a sandbox table and fantastical musical instruments to encourage sensory play. On the upper levels, kids have access to a 50 foot long zip line. This zip line has side-by-side tracks, one of which has a disk for standing on while the other has an accessible seat.
Universally Accessible Playgrounds
Dobson Ranch Park Features Inclusive Play Structures
Trend Themes
1. Inclusive Design Playgrounds - Designing accessible playgrounds for children with disabilities and sensory issues.
2. Sensory Play Elements - Incorporating musical instruments and tactile experiences into playground designs.
3. Accessible Adventure Elements - Innovating ways to make traditional playground challenges accessible to children with disabilities.
Industry Implications
1. Playground Equipment Manufacturing - Manufacturers can create accessible playground equipment for public installations or private homes.
2. Parks and Recreation - Public parks and recreation departments can create universally designed playgrounds to offer inclusive recreation in local communities.
3. Education and Childcare - Schools and childcare facilities can incorporate sensory play elements into their playgrounds to support children's learning and development.