Vacation planning can be rather stressful. Whether it be a day trip, overnight, or a lengthy stay, preparations can be time-consuming and can leave you filled with worry about accommodations and accessibility. One of the best things about vacations and day trips is that they are filled with so much fun! Meaningful, fun physical play is essential for the well-being of children. Since parks with wheelchair access and equipment for special needs has become the standard, why not plan your next day out around a sensory-friendly, inclusive playground?
Inclusive Playgrounds By State
We have compiled a small list of accessible playgrounds across the United States to help make vacation planning a little easier.
Alabama
The Special Needs Accessible Playground of Morgan County – located at 406 Nanceford Road in Hartselle, this playground was designed to provide recreational facilities and opportunities to those with special needs. In 2011, the complex constructed a splash pad that was recognized by Aquatics International as the “Best of Aquatics Spraypark” in the nation.
Alaska
Cuddy Family Midtown Park – located at 201 E 40th Ave in Anchorage, in 2013 a playground for all was added to this Alaska park. A destination playground for both toddlers and children with handicap equipment. Many other parts of the park are also wheelchair accessible.
Arizona
Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground – located at 282 N. 12th Avenue at West Wetlands Park in Yuma, this playground reopened in December 2016 after a fire the previous year. This playground is a 17,000-square foot kingdom for kids. Featuring accessible playground equipment, swings, and more.
California
Tatum’s Garden – Located at 1 Maryal Drive in Salinas, this is a beautiful 20,000 square foot, one of a kind playground where all children can play regardless of their ability.
Colorado
Rocket Park – located at 26th Street and Orchard Ave in Grand Junction, this playground is equipped with plenty of ramps so that all kids can play. The smooth surface is decorated with rockets and stars and features many multi-sensory toys and accessible swings.
Delaware
Can-Do Playground – located at 4361 Weldin Road in Wilmington, the Can-Do Playground is a boundless playground with ramps and rubberized surfaces. They will be celebrating their 10th anniversary on July 11th, 2017.
Florida
Matthew’s Boundless Playground located at Give Kids the World in Kissimmee, this playground boasts special swings and slides, has elevated walkways for wheelchairs, and a Candy Land theme. On Sunday evenings children get to be pieces in the world’s largest Candy Land game!
Idaho
Brooklyn’s Playground – located at 1400 W Quinn in Pocatello, one of the first unique playground designed for children of all abilities in the area.
Indiana
Taylor’s Dream – located off of N. River Road in Fort Wayne, Indiana’s first boundless playground was the idea of 11-year old Taylor Reuille, where not only children of all abilities can play but parents with disabilities can go to the playground and feel like an able parent. This playground features ramps, sensory play, and a water play section.
Louisiana
Shiver Me Timbers Millennium Park – located at 1100 Lake Shore Drive in Lake Charles, the original park was built in 2000, but rebuilt in 2011 after a suspected arson attack that same year. The newer 20,000 square foot playground includes a 40-foot pirate ship, accessible swings, and a treehouse – which are all wheelchair accessible.
Maryland
Hadley’s Park – located at 12600 Falls Road in Potomac, the mission was to create a unique playground where all children, with and without disabilities, could play together, the first of its kind in the state of Maryland. Wheelchair friendly surfaces and a wildflower meadow for sensory play are some of the playground’s perks.
Massachusetts
Harambee Park – located at 930 Blue Hill Avenue in Boston, the first of its type in the Boston area, it allows all kids to take part in the fun and offers smooth surfaces, ramps to access the playground and to play on, and low platforms.
Missouri
Zachary’s Playground – located at 8392 Orf Road in St. Louis, this playground was once given the distinction of America’s #1 Playground by Early Childhood Education Zone. The playground features ADA accessible swings, water play area, and rollerslides available for those with cochlear implants.
New Jersey
Jake’s Place – located at 101 Bortons Mill Road in Cherry Hill, this playground includes sensory sections, ramps, wheelchair lifts, slides, and more. There are also special areas where autistic children can spend time by themselves or use the area to spin around.
North Carolina
Hope Park – located at 170 Joe Knox Ave in Morresville, an inclusive playground featuring picnic areas and a splash pad.
Ohio
Millstone Creek Park – located at 745 N Spring Road in Westerville, with a nature-inspired concept and a wheelchair friendly boardwalk, this playground offers accessible swings, musical instruments, and even a slide that’s excellent for children with cochlear hearing implants.
Pennsylvania
Daniel’s Den Playground – located at 530 Central Manor Road in Lancaster, a community built and supported playground built as a place where all children can learn and play together while fostering a new generation of acceptance.
Rhode Island
The imPOSSIBLE Dream – If you find yourself in the smallest state be sure to stop at The ImPOSSIBLE Dream, located at 575 Centerville Road in Warwick. The imPOSSIBLE Dream Playground was the first integrated playground in RI to offer an environment that is friendly to all physical abilities. Open April through October 10:00-3:00. No fee.
Tennessee
Everybody’s Tree House – located at 7345 Neshoba Road in Germantown, this wheelchair accessible playground is centered around a tree house with swings, gliders, and climbing stations.
Texas
Playground Without Limits – located at 1475 West Gray in Houston, this park features enough ramps so that wheelchair users can enjoy 90% of the playground equipment, sound play, and a rehabilitation trail for improving skills
Morgan’s Wonderland- Located in San Antonio, Texas, this is the very first water and theme park of its kind. Set on 25 acres, it offers a unique, colorful, safe and affordable water and theme park for all ages and abilities. The park has welcomed more than a million guests from all 50 states and 65 other countries. Admission for those with special needs is free; admission fees for accompanying family members, friends, caregivers and the general public are nominal.
Virginia
A Dream Come True – located at 1050 Neff Avenue in Harrisburg, this playground was created by a group of Girl Scouts who dreamed of all kids playing together regardless of ability. Bright colored equipment and special swings designed for kids who need extra body support are a few of the one of a kind features this playground offers.
Looking for more inclusive playgrounds or other facilities? Have a great adventure to share? Join our community forum and share your experiences and questions.
