Mon-Fri 8:00am - 6:00pm EST

Playground Equipment for Sale - AAA State of Play

Find Close
LAST CHANCE! Use Promo Code SUMMERSALE24 to get over 30% off on select Quick Ship Play Systems. Learn more.
FALL SALE: Save up to 34% off select Play Systems until 11/15. Learn more.

How Much Does it Cost to Build an Inclusive Playground?

An inclusive playground often requires a bigger budget than typical playgrounds. Small inclusive playgrounds usually range from $200,000 to $500,000, while large handicap-accessible playgrounds can cost from $750,000 to over $1 million. The estimated total cost includes, but is not limited to, playground equipment, installation, surfacing, and taxes.

Although the budget required for installing commercial playground equipment accessible to kids of all abilities may be substantial, the results in terms of children’s social development and community spirit will always be a worthwhile investment.

family on playground

Benefits of an inclusive playground

An inclusive playground in a public space reflects the community’s consideration and appreciation for the kids of all abilities living in the area. By creating an inclusive playground design, children receive the following benefits:

  • Social Inclusion and Confidence: Inclusive playground equipment offers countless opportunities that a regular playground cannot provide. The considerate play design allows all children to play, create, interact, and develop empathy with each other. By building an inclusive playing environment, kids with disabilities no longer have to feel excluded or limited from participating in the joys of playing.
  • Cognitive and Physical Development: Playground structures play an important role in a child's development in terms of mental aspects like creative thinking as well as physical skills like balance and coordination. With commercial playground equipment that caters to special needs, children of all abilities can now experience and achieve similar developments.
  • Stronger Community Bond: Within the playground, families and caretakers of children of all abilities can interact with each other and bond over shared experiences. Within the community as a whole, the shared play space becomes a welcoming place where families of diverse backgrounds and needs can feel included and belong.

Recommended equipment for inclusive playgrounds

The playground equipment for an inclusive play area is not too different from the components in a typical playground. It is equipped with additional features to increase accessibility and inclusion for children with special needs. Some recommended equipment includes:

Inclusive Swings

Cover various seating options, such as adaptive seats, basket swings that could carry wheelchairs, expression swings, and other seats that could accommodate multiple children.

Inclusive Play Structures

Feature wider designs, multiple climbing options, customized climbers, and side-by-side equipment for parallel play experiences.

Sensory-Friendly Elements

Stimulate the multiple senses through physical, sensory, and cognitive activities such as play panels, music instruments, and balance equipment.

Quiet Zones

Serve as a safe area for children who tend to experience sensory overload and need some calming time before returning to playtime.

Social Interaction Spaces

Connect with other children and foster diversity and teamwork through group activities such as multi-person spinners, group swings, and cooperative play structures.

Safe and Smooth Surfacing

Choose materials to ensure your playground surfacing is impact-absorbing that is safe for children in case of falls and smooth enough for wheelchairs to cross

Seamless Transition and Access:

Incorporate ramps, transfer stations, and wider paths between elevated and ground play areas throughout the playground.

Differences between ADA-compliant, inclusive, and accessible playgrounds

differences between playground equipment

ADA-Compliant Playground

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides guidelines and regulations that help create play areas accessible to children and users with disabilities. Once the commercial playground equipment incorporates the given guidelines as a minimum requirement according to the act, it becomes ADA-compliant. However, ADA playground equipment still has limitations in catering to a full spectrum of abilities, as only a certain percentage of play structures are accessible to children with special needs.

Accessible Playground

Accessible playgrounds go beyond ADA compliance and offer broader play experiences for kids of all abilities. They are usually identified by enhanced features and additional physical access to equipment.

Inclusive Playground

Inclusive playgrounds are designed to encourage every child, regardless of their needs and abilities, to play together. This category covers a wider range of considerate playground equipment that addresses physical, social, cognitive, and sensory needs.

To give a clearer picture of the differences between the three playgrounds, here is a summary:

  • ADA-Compliant Playground: Usually includes a swing set with adaptive seats, a ramp for wheelchairs to access 50% of the elevated play equipment, and signage with visual and tactile elements. These features cover the minimum legal requirements.
  • Accessible Playground: Contains commercial playground equipment with more convenient features such as transfer stations, harnesses, seat height and back options, and ramps wider than the minimum ADA guidelines. These details go beyond the usual legal standards.
  • Inclusive Playground: Combines the best features of ADA-compliant and accessible playground equipment. It provides inclusive play features such as multi-sensory play structures, quiet spaces, inclusive swing seat options, and seamless transition and access throughout the playground.

An all inclusive playground design can be a wonderful and safe environment for every child with special needs, all of whom deserve to experience the joys of play and creation. Whether you have a budget for creating such a playground from scratch or have an existing play space that you wish to transform into an inclusive one, AAA State of Play is more than ready to walk you through your needs and allocated funds. Connect with us today, and let’s build more safe and inclusive play spaces for one differently-abled child at a time.

Find more about the author: Kim Hart

We can't find products matching the selection.