Play Together, Grow Together.
An inclusive playground removes barriers for children with mobility, vision, hearing and sensory challenges and allows children of all abilities to interact and play.
The playground at Alexander Elementary is used by children during the school day, but it also serves children and adults from all areas after school and on weekends. It is a large, beautiful outdoor play area with a shelter house and access to a fitness trail. It is a public park for the wider community outside of school hours. It should be available to every one of every ability.
There are a lot of issues with the current playground that limit inclusive play.
The typical lifespan of a playground is 20 years. The playground at Alexander was built in 2004 so it is ready for replacement. The opportunity for an inclusive playground is now.
Everything has steps.
For children with permanent and temporary disabilities when everything requires the use of steps, the child's options of play are immediately diminished. Often, this leads to children being left out.
Mulch covers everything.
Something that seems very standard on a playground leaves a lot of children out. Although it is ADA compliant, the use of mulch prevents children in wheelchairs and crutches increased difficulty when getting around leading to injury or inability to play at all.
Only one accessible entrance.
There is one curb cut for wheelchairs and walkers
There is only one adaptive swing, that is outdated.
The new playground will feature
all kinds of play!
Children and adults alike will be able to spin in the spinner accessible to wheelchair and walkers. Friends will rock back and forth in the group glider and participate in imaginative play. People of all abilities will be able to use the dual monkey bars alongside each other. Music and activity panels will provide stimulation for those who want something different from motion. And children needing a break from the crowd can find rest in the shaded quiet space.
Playground Plans
The design of Area 1 being installed this summer.
Below are closeups of the equipment your donations will provide for all areas of the playground.
Color and company might differ from the links below.
Accessible Monkey Bars
Whether tall or short or in a mobility device, anyone can use these climbers.