by Nicole Bush

Children love to climb, slide, swing and play with others, and the growing number of “boundless” playgrounds enables more children of all abilities to do just that. Claire Cohen, a special needs preschool teacher in Fayette County, loves to watch her students’ faces light up when visiting All Children’s Playground in Peachtree City. “They can do the same things that other children can without the help of mom, dad or teacher, and they love that. It makes them so happy.” Children of all abilities can play together in these specially designed spaces that allow children with physical limitations the chance to explore and play on an equal basis with their peers.

Cohen usually plans three to four playground visits each year for her class of about eight preschoolers. Parents can learn about new gross and fine motor skill therapies on each field trip while their kids enjoy their favorite playground. “The playground doesn’t look ‘special,’ which is even better,” says Cohen. “They love the soft rubber surface and elevated levels where they can look out and see the park. The shading, slides and water arch are so great too because with the water, they can hit the button and decide when and how much they get wet all on their own.”

All Children’s and other boundless playgrounds foster the independence many special needs children want while letting them do what kids do best: play. Visit one of these local playgrounds and see for yourself.

Children’s Playgarden
Ephesus Church Road, Clinton Nature Preserve, Villa Rica

Whether you stroll or roll up to the Children’s Playgarden, one thing is certain: You’ll find plenty of activities within reach of children of all abilities. It was the first boundless playground in Georgia supported and built by the National Center for Boundless Playgrounds, which means you can be sure that all children can play side-by-side. Visit here and you’ll find an airplane shaped structure, winding slide, image panel and wings.

A rubberized surface and the playground’s shape make it easy for wheelchairs and walkers to move around and access the play equipment. Ramps connect multilevel play areas. High-back swings with five-point harnesses and straps give the support that many special needs children require, but regular swings also are available. A sandbox with a standing support apparatus allows children in walkers to hold on to the structures, and an elevated sandbox in the shape of a flower allows children in wheelchairs to join in, too. There are even water misters and covered play areas to help keep kids cool. Interactive musical instrument panels and tunnels big enough to accommodate any special needs equipment are among the features that make this playground worth the trip if it’s not in your community. For more information call 860-248-8315 or visit www.boundlessplaygrounds.org. 

All Children’s Playground
Willowbend Road, Picnic Park, Peachtree City

All Children’s Playground keeps on growing and getting better thanks to a three-phase plan that’s added new features and play equipment. Phase One included a rubberized surface; a covered play pavilion; a system of ramps, arches and bridges; and several play features, including a tic-tac-toe panel and sprinklers. Phase Two added a diamond-shaped play structure, more ramps and bridges, covered slides, more play panels and a 12-inch upper-level extension. All those ramps and bridges mean nearly every child can access the playground’s equipment and features.

Now, with Phase Three completed, special needs kids can entertain themselves on a play area with universal, 100 percent access. There’s even a toddler area with interactive musical play panels, more water spraying features, and a pole with a carousel-like spinning base. Other features include baby bucket swings, regular swings and even high-back, reclining-seat swings with shoulder straps and a harness for added safety and support for those children who need it. For more information call 770-631-2542.

Unity Place
Ozora Road, Bay Creek Park, Grayson

Gwinnett County’s universal playground has something other local boundless playgrounds don’t: a specially designed playground plus special needs ball fields. Unity Place is the focal point of Bay Creek Park. Both the playground and ball fields have a wheelchair- and walker-friendly rubberized surface. There also are supportive swings with mesh backing, wide slides connected to access ramps, and a sandbox with sand scoops and other toys at wheelchair level. The ball fields were designed with level dugouts and base paths that can accommodate special-needs equipment. Of course, no ballpark is complete without a concession stand, and Unity Place is no different.

The community’s involvement with the park has led to discussions of building a second park in the county to reach even more special needs families. For more information call 770-822-8819 or visit www.gwinnettparks.com. 

Wesley Coan Park Playground
Hosea L. Williams Drive, Wesley Coan Park, Kirkwood

Expect plenty of laughing and squealing this fall when Midtown Atlanta receives its first boundless playground. The National Center for Boundless Playgrounds is developing its second official playground in Georgia, expected to open in November. The barrier-free structure will accommodate nearly 160 children of all abilities. Look for equipment that supports the predictable play behaviors of toddlers, elementary and middle school-age children and a rubberized play surface. Playground designers also are paying attention to the surrounding areas: Look for landscaping that’s easy to maneuver around, benches and an accessible water fountain.

Children who play on the newest addition to Wesley Coan Park will be able to take full advantage of the features typical of a boundless playground. That means kids with a variety of mobility limitations will be able to scale the multiple play levels and enjoy its features. There also are plenty of spots where children can interact with their peers or pursue independent playtime doing sensory-rich activities. For more information call 404-817-6859 or visit www.boundlessplaygrounds.com.