Inclusive Playground Burnaby Central Park
Funding Sources:
The City of Burnaby funded the inclusive playground in Central Park. Some equipment was donated, such as the Apollo Spinner from RecTec Industries, and the accessible disc swing from the City of Burnaby Accessibility Committee.
Equipment Providers:
The suppliers for the project included:
- Habitat provided the accessible slide structure and play house
- Rec Tec Industries provided the spinner bowl
- Warren Brubacher of Tantalus Lodge Retreat provided the wood climbing pieces
- Waterplay and RecTec Industries provided the spray feature
Designer(s):
City of Burnaby Landscape Architects/Park Designers, Shira Golden Standfield and Kate Clark.
Length of Project:
The project occurred in multiple phases from 2005-2008:
- Phase 1: Pre-2005 included main play structure, play panels, and swings
- Phase 2: 2005 for 4 months included accessible sand box construction, landscaping, seating area and water systems
- Phase 3: 2008 for 4 months included hill slide, landscaping, passive creative play and water feature
People involved with Project:
In addition to the City of Burnaby staff, others involved in the project included a focus group consisting of medical professionals (occupational therapists and physiotherapists) and parents of children with disabilities.
Lessons Learned:
When working in park setting, it is important to ensure that construction staff understands “tree protection” requirements. During the construction process, a large Douglas fir tree was unfortunately lost.
A great play area design includes a focus on details. Some details include in our design were hidden animals, footprints, logs, boulders and plants.
It is important to incorporate different levels of challenge in the design, so children have the ability to take risks and work towards more advanced levels.
It also important to work with equipment suppliers to determine the right equipment needed. Sometimes “accessible” equipment and pieces may not be necessary when grading and site topography can be used instead to create more interesting play opportunities.
Challenges:
Some users had expectations that the park would have features that were designed mainly for wheelchair users or children with disabilities. Education was required to promote the idea of inclusive design – a park for all people that didn’t look different – it would just be inherently accessible.
Suggestions for other people who want to create inclusive playgrounds:
Do your research! Look at what has worked and what hasn’t in other play spaces. Be sure to talk to families, children and the parents of children with disabilities and have an understanding of their needs. Research how people use play space, including people using strollers. Determine the features that would make the site better for all users – not just on people with disabilities.
It is important to ensure that the playground is fun for kids. Think about creating an experience first and then determine the accessibility details.
A great playground is innovative and unique and shouldn’t focus just on equipment. A pleasant, natural space can also be a great place to play. Not everything has to be accessible to everyone; the idea is to provide opportunities for challenge and growth for all kids.
What Worked Well and what didn’t: ?
The setting in Central Park is perfect as it includes large trees and understory planting that created different “rooms and zones” in the play area.
The upgrade to the existing play space greatly enhanced the sight lines into the play area, making it more open and creating a safer and more visible play space.
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