4 Can’t-Miss Inclusive Playgrounds and Why They’re Important for ALL Kids

Inclusive playgrounds are a necessary part of our park system today. Not only do they welcome kids of all abilities, they also offer the opportunity to engage with kids of different races, religions and backgrounds.

“Play is the great equalizer and allows children to develop empathy,” said Tom Norquist, IPEMA immediate past president. “Play allows children to readily accept differences, genuinely feel harmonious and learn that others may have different feelings and perspectives.”

Inclusive playgrounds provide many benefits for our children, specifically in the areas of social skills, diversity and equality. This article will explain each of the benefits as well as share four amazing inclusive playgrounds to visit here in Colorado!

This is the third in a series of articles sponsored by IPEMA (International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association) and Voice of Play, IPEMA’s ongoing, consumer-facing initiative to promote the benefits of children’s play and playgrounds. Voice of Play also provides helpful information and resources to help us all improve the quality and quantity of children’s play on playgrounds. For more benefits of play, check out the first two articles of the series: “4 Reasons to Get Back to Your Local Park (and the Parks to Check Out First!)” and “3 Reasons to Play as a Family (and the Best Colorado Parks to Visit Together!)“

This post may contain affiliate links and while we may earn compensation when you click on the links, it is at no additional cost to you.

Social Skills

The Voice of Play 2020 Survey results show that “outdoor free play gives kids many valuable benefits, including the development of physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills.” We often associate playgrounds with the physical benefit of “getting the energy out,” but what I’ve seen more often in our family are the social benefits. Every time your child plays with others, they are learning to take turns and share, negotiate with peers in a healthy and productive way, and take on leadership roles.

As described on Voice of Play, “group play is where kids learn with social roles and cultural rules, develop the appropriate cooperation skills and familiarize themselves with a shared system of symbols, including verbal and body language.” But, if you’re not playing at an inclusive playground, then you may be reducing the diversity of children your kids can be exposed to in group play.

Diversity

Over the past year in particular, we have seen first hand that our country continues to have problems with discrimination and racial injustice. That means we, as parents and caregivers, need to be even more diligent and purposeful from the start to help our children break the trends! Children aren’t born with inherent biases toward people of different races or abilities. These biases develop over time and parents have a really important role to play when it comes to helping children understand and celebrate these differences.

In the research shown, 92% of parents agree that playing on the playground helps children to be inclusive of others who may have different abilities and backgrounds than their own. If you don’t feel like your kids are having this opportunity because of the area you live in, this is a great reason to head to a park in a different town or the nearest major city. Exposing your kids to a variety of children gives them the opportunity to learn about other cultures, family life dynamics and so much more. When writing about the history of playgrounds in the U.S., Linnea M. Anderson explained that playgrounds also provided an ideal place for socialization, forming “neighborliness,” when children of different race and economic status met at a playground and played together.

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Don’t forget to take along some of our park favorites!

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Inclusion & Equality

When we think about inclusive play, I think most of us think about wheelchair access. But, there are so many other considerations for an inclusive playground, too! According to inclusiveplay.com, in addition to physical impairments, we should also consider sensory (visual and hearing), speech, learning, and cognitive (memory, attention deficits, autism).

The following description by Voice of Play explains perfectly why inclusion is a value for life. “Research has shown that children assign value to those who they “think” they can play with and those they cannot. Their perception is that those who play are contributors, and those who don’t play are not. Therefore, children with disabilities who are prevented from playing on playgrounds—because of non-inclusive equipment or surfacing—are already facing the disadvantage of being recognized by their peers as having a lesser value than the children that are playing. Unfortunately, the “contributor status” often carries on through adulthood.” There is a huge need for more inclusive playgrounds, not just in Colorado, but across the United States.

If you haven’t yet been to an inclusive playground, now is the perfect time! Spend some time researching inclusive playgrounds in and around your area and take your kids on an adventure. If you need additional ideas near you, share it in the comments below. In the meantime, here are four wonderful inclusive playgrounds to enjoy in Colorado!

1 – Red-Tailed Hawk Park

Address: 23701 E Hinsdale Way, Aurora, CO 80016

In 2019, Colorado celebrated the opening of this 8,000-square-foot inclusive playground in Aurora. Inspired by a local child, Red-Tailed Hawk Park is “a purposeful playground with equipment, instruments and experiences every child can enjoy” (CBS Denver). You will immediately notice the fun colors, musical instruments, and unique elements, like the wheelchair accessible swing!

For more details, visit full review here: https://slidesandsunshine.com/inclusive-playground-in-aurora/

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2 – Aven’s Village (Island Grove Park)

Address: 1300 D St, Greeley, CO 80631

I love Aven’s Village in Greeley because it is truly inclusive, in other words, designed for ALL. The rubber flooring and ramps allow easy access for wheelchairs, the chair zipline and swings give everyone a turn, and the overall feel of the park is happy and playful. Aven’s Village channels the “Old West” feel of early Greeley settlers and is in the appropriate spot, next to the Greeley Stampede!

For more details, visit full review here: https://slidesandsunshine.com/inclusive-playground-avensvillage-greeley/

3 – Veterans Memorial Park

Address: 6015 Forest Dr, Commerce City, CO 80022

Veterans Memorial Park was redone in Fall 2020 as a fully inclusive playground. I love the natural theme used and everything about the play equipment was welcoming to all. There were ramps throughout, an accessible “sway fun” rocker, separate area for ages 2 to 5, and our favorite feature is the “We Go Round“, a wheelchair accessible merry go round.

For more details, visit full review here: https://slidesandsunshine.com/inclusive-playground-commerce-city/

4 – *Coming Soon* LuBird’s Playground

Address: 2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010 (Stanley Marketplace)

LuBird’s Light Foundation is a local non-profit with the mission of building extraordinary, one of a kind inclusive playgrounds for children and families of all needs and enhancing existing playgrounds throughout the Metro area. According to their website, there are “74,000 kids with disabilities in Colorado and most playgrounds do not give these children an opportunity to experience the fun and joy of being outdoors with their peers.” Their first playground will be completed Summer 2021 on approximately 9,000 square feet at the Stanley Marketplace. According to their project page, it will include “state-of-the-art handicapped accessible swings, spinners and slides, musical sensory play equipment, smooth barrier-free surfacing and more–all with a magical vibrant design.” Stay tuned for an official opening date!

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We hope you take time to visit some inclusive playgrounds and that the next time your city is asking for playground input, please remember all of the kids counting on an inclusive place to play.

Thanks for joining us at Slides and Sunshine. Now it’s time to get out there and PLAY!

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