Offering all families the opportunity to play outdoors is the goal of inclusive playgrounds. These thoughtfully designed inclusive playgrounds take various needs – wheelchair accessibility, sensory concerns, necessary supports, and more – and meet them through specialized equipment. These play spaces are open to all, offering an opportunity to talk to your children about differences, inclusion, and compassion.
Here are the inclusive playgrounds around Richmond:
A Playground for Katie & Friends (Huguenot Park)
The playground is named for Katie, who has multiple disabilities and needed a place she could play with friends. Her mother, Jane Warrick committed to giving her daughter a safe place to play with friends, and this play area has been serving the community for nearly 20 years.
This fenced play area has sandboxes, which are a highlight and a popular playground feature for children with sensory needs. Typically, children in wheelchairs would not be able to play in sandboxes, so sand tables are provided, offering a chance for them to play in the sand, also.
The entire playground itself is wheelchair accessible; and there are various types of swings, including adaptive swings that provide back support. There are several noise-making features, designed for children with limited speech, including bells and drums.
Children’s Museum of Richmond
As expected, CMoR’s “learn through play” motto comes to life at their outdoor playground. Not only fun, but also with inclusive features, the KABOOM! Playspace, built in 2021 offers ADA accessible features, like the wobble pod bouncers, boogie board, signage with both English and Spanish, and a grab bar.
PARK365
One of the most popular parks in Richmond, PARK365 is known for its unique and inviting features, allowing all children to play together. To meet sensory needs, there’s a water table, sensory wall, noise-making features, and more.
The entire area is wheelchair accessible, including the track, and treehouse. Several types of swings await, like those with back support, and a large mat saucer swing, so children can lie down, or swing with friends.
Taking those with “elopers” into consideration, PARK365 is fenced and gated. Rubber safety surfaces ensure wheelchair accessibility and protection from serious injury.
Planning a birthday party? Reserve a picnic table at PARK365!
Pole Green Park
Located in Mechanicsville, Pole Green Park offers a fenced playground with rubber surfaces. Additional features include ramps and swings with back support that buckle a child in safely.
Heading to Pole Green Park playground? Try this hike afterward!
Maddie’s Magnificent Playpark (White Bank Park)
Each detail of this park expresses the mission of the Maddie Mann Foundation: “helping those in the disabled community be able to LIVE to the best of their abilities.”
Elevated sand tables, wheelchair-accessible surfaces, swings with back support and buckles, a sensory wall, are only a few of the thoughtful features at this Colonial Heights playground. My children particularly love the musical instruments and signage in multiple languages, including American Sign Language.
Whether your family has needs that can only be met by inclusive playgrounds, or you’re just hoping to try out a new play space, these playgrounds’ designs open the door to both fun and compassion.
