Playgrounds are a childhood right of passage. My childhood would’ve been incomplete if it weren’t for park playgrounds. Parenting my daughters would’ve been very different without playgrounds for entertainment. They provide an outlet for socialization and physical exploration. Imaginations soar, and clouds are within reach when kids go as high as possible on the swings. The faster a merry-go-round spins, the closer the riders are to lift off. Kids line up to take turns on the slides. Parents and children with special needs deserve the same experiences, but not all playgrounds are created equal.
Luckily, we live in an age that addresses the specific needs of individuals. The newly opened Possibilities Playground in Castle Rock, Colorado, https://crgov.com/3397/Possibilities-Playgroundis the perfect example. They’ve taken play further by being an inclusive playground. Merry-go-rounds, swings, and ziplines have been designed to accommodate users of all abilities. Newly developed slides have been installed to ensure that children with colloquial ear implants no longer have to skip the slide to avoid the static electricity that interferes with their hearing aids. For the visually impaired, there is brail signage to explain the function of each station. Sensory stations of differently textured materials make for a more enhanced tactile experience. At Possibilities Playground, no one needs to feel left out. The recycled rubber floor provides an easy-to-move-on surface.
Just as childhood is at the heart of playgrounds, inclusivity is at the heart of the Possibilities Playground. Pleasure, safety, function, and aesthetics combine, providing users with limitless outdoor entertainment. People of all abilities now have the opportunity to learn and play side-by-side. Playgrounds should be places to celebrate differences, make friends, and unite as individuals. Playing on a playground is a childhood right of passage. Physical and developmental differences should not prevent people from enjoying public spaces.