Four Fundamentals for Inclusive Playground Design: Part 3

Allow greater accessibility by providing wide routes, flush surface transitions, and unitary surfacing. While engineered wood fiber or loose fill rubber is easier to replenish and less expensive, unitary surfacing such as pour-in-place rubber surfacing will be more durable and is easier for a wheelchair to navigate. Opening up spaces between equipment and giving wide lanes for moving between activities will allow all users easy access. Smooth transitions between surfacing types will prevent tripping and give a more stable surface for wheelchairs and strollers. As an added benefit, you can have designs worked into the surfacing, such as a hopscotch design, four-square design, or thematic elements.