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All Abilities Playground Project

• About the All Abilities Playground Project
• Site Location
• Design
• Pioneer Park Project
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Design

The design process outlined here is based on a method that involves user participation throughout the design process. This means that end users (children and families) will be involved in the planning, design development and construction components of each All Abilities Play space.

This translates to:

1. Planning phase- understanding the needs and wants of the users with respect to the proposed environment and barriers that are experienced in existing playgrounds.
2. Design development phase - ensuring the design captures the needs and removes the barriers identified in planning phase.  The phase seeks to design an environment that reflects end users ideas and needs.
3. Construction phase - is not just about watching the area develop into the play space but also about continuing the community's interest and developing ownership.

Design approach:  removing the barriers to play space design

All Abilities Playgrounds are play spaces where children of all abilities can play side by side with their siblings and friends, socialising and learning fundamental skills necessary to development in a child's early years.

The playground designs will focus on maximising the play experience, so that children of all abilities can be active participants in interactive, challenging and inclusive play. Involving children with and with out disabilities and their families in the design process enables them to have a voice and exercise control over how their needs are addressed in their local playground design to ensure the best play experience.

Design needs to place emphasis on what happens in the playground. One major approach currently observed in many accessible playgrounds is that access has only been considered in relation to physical access, that is, a ramp to a structure or pathways. What must also be considered in the design is the selection of play elements that will provide children with ample learning opportunities and social interaction with their peers and siblings.

Play is of fundamental importance to children's health, well-being and learning. Play can enrich children's learning in various developmental areas such as:

• emotional
• social
• cognitive
• physical.

Outdoor play is an important part of any child's development and well-designed outdoor play spaces allow children to play in the natural/outdoor environment, explore their world and learn new skills and socialise with friends and siblings. This need to learn and grow from play is no different for a child with a disability.

User participation in the creation of all abilities playgrounds

The project will encourage participation of playground users (children and families) throughout the creation of the play space. 

This will be achieved by:

1. Involving children and their families in planning of the playground.
2. Establishing a family focus group to make collective decision-making around issues that were identified in design development.
3. Establishing a community project as part of the construction of the playground. The community project could be a planting day or an art project that involves playground users and broader community members.

   The community planting activity below symbolised the value of the community and the contribution of those families involved in the design of Pioneer Park, All Abilities Playground.  The planting day also included the participation of the two officers in charge of design development and Council Parks staff who are responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the parklands.

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