A little girl seated in a wheelchair is expressing her delight

Inclusive playgrounds welcome everyone to participate. Playgrounds in Maryland should be fully inclusive for all. That means everyone can learn and play together.

Features of an Inclusive Playground

Inclusive playgrounds have features that allow everyone to play together. There are many different ways to build an inclusive playground. What your community needs and wants to make a playground inclusive might be different.

This is an illustration of an inclusive playground. You can use this gallery of examples to learn more and engage with your community to know what features should be included in your playground. The examples are not listed in order of importance.

This is an illustration of an inclusive playground. You can use this gallery of examples to learn more and engage with your community to know what features should be included in your playground. The examples are not listed in order of importance.

1 . Unitary Surfacing: When the ground surfacing under and around a playground is all the same material, this allows everyone to access the playground and participate. Poured in place rubber is the preferred surfacing material.

1 . Unitary Surfacing: When the ground surfacing under and around a playground is all the same material, this allows everyone to access the playground and participate. Poured in place rubber is the preferred surfacing material.

2 Easy to Understand Signs: Signs that help people know where to locate restrooms, water, or other things they need at the playground.

2 Easy to Understand Signs: Signs that help people know where to locate restrooms, water, or other things they need at the playground.

3. Ground-level Equipment: People want to play in all areas of a playground. Having play features that can be accessed on the ground promotes play and inclusion around the playground.

3. Ground-level Equipment: People want to play in all areas of a playground. Having play features that can be accessed on the ground promotes play and inclusion around the playground.

4. Roller Equipment: Some people cannot or do not want to use traditional slides. Roller equipment provides an alternative with benefits for everyone.

4. Roller Equipment: Some people cannot or do not want to use traditional slides. Roller equipment provides an alternative with benefits for everyone.

5. Ramps Instead of Stairs: Wheelchair accessible, multi-play equipment allows everyone to play together regardless of ability.

5. Ramps Instead of Stairs: Wheelchair accessible, multi-play equipment allows everyone to play together regardless of ability.

6. Energizing Areas: Some people want lots of physical stimulation during play. Inclusive playgrounds should have equipment that promotes active engagement and stimulation.

6. Energizing Areas: Some people want lots of physical stimulation during play. Inclusive playgrounds should have equipment that promotes active engagement and stimulation.

7. Calm Areas: Some people need breaks during play. Inclusive playgrounds should have calm areas for rest.

7. Calm Areas: Some people need breaks during play. Inclusive playgrounds should have calm areas for rest.

8. Accessible Bathrooms: Inclusive playgrounds should have bathrooms that everyone can use. This means Universal (Adult) Changing Equipment, doors without handles that open with a push(either way) or push button, and accessible restroom stalls.

8. Accessible Bathrooms: Inclusive playgrounds should have bathrooms that everyone can use. This means Universal (Adult) Changing Equipment, doors without handles that open with a push(either way) or push button, and accessible restroom stalls.

9. Enclosures: Some families want enclosures so they can play safely at a playground. Other families do not want enclosures because it makes them feel unsafe. One option is to build enclosures that blend in with the environment.

9. Enclosures: Some families want enclosures so they can play safely at a playground. Other families do not want enclosures because it makes them feel unsafe. One option is to build enclosures that blend in with the environment.