Commercial playgrounds Houston are indoor or outdoor play spaces for children, ensuring utmost safety in addition to providing enjoyment. While evaluating nonprofit park access and quality, Houston stands at no. 85 among the top 100 largest cities in the USA. Overall, the city’s parks get a score of 35.3. Accessible playgrounds are not the usual commercial playgrounds but offer play possibilities to children with physical and mental disabilities to ensure equity and inclusivity for all. Accessible playgrounds are not only a must in Houston but in any city.
The need for children’s playgrounds
There are numerous benefits of commercial playgrounds in Houston for children:
- They develop a knack for exploring new things and building an adventurous spirit.
- They learn to interact and cooperate with fellow children.
- It helps in teaching teamwork and team-play skills in children.
- Children build their creative sides, problem-solving ability, and leadership qualities.
- The most important is the physical benefits offered by outdoor play. Children develop flexible and strong muscles and strong immunity through regular play.
- Provide an environment for families to spend some fun time together.
The need for accessible playgrounds and playsets
These commercial playgrounds consist of various commercial playsets Houston for children to enjoy something new every time. But, to ensure that the children with special abilities have as much fun as everyone else, there should be special equipment and facilities for the specially-abled children. An playground has all of these facilities.
According to the ADA(American Disability Act), a playground should:
- Offer a range of play experiences to children with varying abilities.
- Provide an accessible path to the play area from a building or parking area and play equipment.
- Elevated play areas must have at least 50% accessible routes.
- Safety surfaces used in the playgrounds must adhere to ADA standards.
Equipments in an accessible playground
- Transfer systems: Children can use these to raise themselves to an elevated platform.
- Support systems: Requirement of some support like handrails and hand grips at short distances inside the playground.
- Ramps: Make it easy to reach the elevated spaces with support systems in between.
- Inclusive slides: Slides are a great source of enjoyment for kids. playgrounds allow children to reach the top of the slide and simply glide through it. Slides improve the upper body stability and tactile senses, allowing children to enjoy the freeing sensation of sweeping down.
- Inclusive swings: Provide a light experience of soaring high in the air. All the children, including the ones with disabilities, should be able to enjoy a safe swinging experience. For this, harnesses and straps are necessary to secure them. Adding some adjustable features to swings to ensure the utmost comforting experience.
- Adaptive comfort seating: Making seating arrangements in close spaces with backrests and armrests can help provide comfort, stability, and support.
- Sensory interaction: Innovative spaces for children incorporating different textures, sounds, and colors can help generate quick stimuli and reflex actions.
- Inclusive merry-go-rounds and See-saws: These should have entry points at a low height and seats with backrests to accommodate differently-abled children.
- Canopies: In an outdoor setting, canopies or shade structures should be available for children to rest away from the scorching sun and heat or winds.
Houston has spent over $56.72 on every citizen in a year to provide park amenities, and 58% of residents have parks near their homes within a 10-minute walk. The progress continues every year in Houston, where equipment has been and will be developed at accessible playgrounds.
Bottomline:
All Play is a playground equipment-based company that provides the best accessible commercial playsets in Houston for all children to have a fun growing-up experience. It also has commercial playgrounds in Houston.
All Play provides children with the best experience of outdoor activities with equipment safely made of antimicrobial and nontoxic material. It provides a fun learning experience to children developing their physical and mental health.
It also provides ADA-standardized equipment that is wheelchair and handicap accessible, ensuring that every individual with unique needs should benefit from their commercial playsets Houston and commercial playgrounds in Houston.
Outdoor play is crucial for children’s development, allowing them to explore and learn about the world around them. One of the best ways to encourage outdoor play is by using kids outdoor playgrounds. These playgrounds offer a safe and stimulating environment where children can engage in physical activities that promote gross motor skills and overall physical fitness while developing social and emotional skills through peer play.
In this blog, we will explore the many benefits of outdoor play, in promoting child development. We will also discuss the importance of safety considerations when designing playgrounds.
Benefits of Outdoor Play
Outdoor play is an essential part of childhood that offers many benefits for children’s physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Our outdoor playgrounds provide an excellent opportunity to engage in various activities that promote their overall well-being. Here are seven benefits of outdoor play highlighting why children must get outside and play.
Enhances Physical Development:
Outdoor play encourages children to engage in physical activities such as running, jumping, climbing, and swinging. These activities promote the development of gross motor skills, such as balance, coordination, and strength. Playing outside also allows children to improve their fine motor skills, such as hand-eye coordination and agility, by engaging in activities like digging in the sand or picking up small objects.
Improves Cognitive Development:
Outdoor play can enhance children’s cognitive development by allowing them to explore and learn about their surroundings. Children can develop their problem-solving skills by navigating obstacles, working together to solve problems, and making decisions about their play.
Promotes Social and Emotional Development:
Outdoor play allows children to socialize, make new friends, and develop important social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperation. Children can also learn empathy and respect for others by playing games that require teamwork and collaboration.
Encourages Exploration and Curiosity:
Outdoor play allows children to explore their surroundings and satisfy their curiosity about the world around them. Children can discover new plants, animals, and insects and learn about different textures, colours, and sounds. Exploring the outdoors also encourages children to ask questions and seek answers, promoting intellectual development.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety:
Playing outside can help reduce stress and anxiety in children. Outdoor play provides a relaxing environment where children can release pent-up energy, engage in physical activity, and connect with nature. Exposure to natural environments can also help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve overall mood and well-being.
Types of Outdoor Playground Equipment
Kids outdoor playgrounds offer an excellent opportunity for children to engage in physical activities and promote their overall health and well-being. These playgrounds provide a safe and fun environment for children to play, learn, and explore. Here’s a closer look at the different types of playground equipment that promote physical activity, socialization, and cognitive development.
Physical Activity Equipment:
Climbing Structures: Climbing structures are one of the most popular pieces of playground equipment. They allow children to build strength, improve their balance and coordination, and boost their self-confidence. Climbing structures come in different shapes and sizes, from rock climbing walls to ropes courses and ladders. They are ideal for children who want to test their limits and challenge themselves physically.
Slides: Slides are another common playground equipment that promotes physical activity. Sliding helps children develop spatial awareness, balance, and vestibular stimulation. Slides come in different shapes and sizes, from small and gentle slides for younger children to tall and fast slides for older children. They are ideal for children who want to have fun while developing their physical skills.
Swings: Swings are a piece of classic playground equipment that has been around for generations. Swinging helps children develop balance and coordination and provides a calming sensory experience. Swings come in styles, from traditional to tire swings, hammock swings, and gliders. They are ideal for children who want to relax, have fun, and develop physical skills.
Socialization Equipment:
Seesaws: Seesaws are classic playground equipment that promotes socialization and cooperation. Seesaws require children to work together, take turns, and communicate effectively. They help children develop socialization skills, build friendships, and improve their coordination and balance.
Merry-Go-Rounds: Merry-Go-Rounds is another piece of playground equipment that promotes socialization and teamwork. Children can ride the merry-go-round together, learn to work together to keep it going, and communicate effectively to coordinate their movements. Merry-go-rounds are ideal for children wanting fun and improving their socialization skills.
Roundabouts: Roundabouts are playground equipment that promotes socialization and cooperation. Children can ride roundabouts together, learn to work together to keep it going, and communicate effectively to coordinate their movements. Roundabouts are ideal for children who want to have fun and improve their socialization skills.
Cognitive Development Equipment:
Balance Beams: Balance beams are playground equipment that promotes cognitive development. Children can practice balance, coordination, and concentration when walking across a narrow beam. Balance beams come in different lengths and heights; some are designed with obstacles to make them more challenging. Balance beams are ideal for children who want to challenge themselves mentally and physically.
Obstacle Courses: Obstacle courses are playground equipment that promotes cognitive development. Children can navigate through obstacles like tunnels, bridges, and mazes to improve their problem-solving skills, creativity, and sensory processing abilities. Obstacle courses are ideal for children who want to explore their environment and develop their curiosity and imagination.
Sensory Play Equipment: Sensory play equipment is a type of playground equipment that promotes cognitive development. Children can engage in activities stimulating their senses, such as sandboxes, water tables, and musical instruments. Sensory play equipment helps children develop their sensory processing abilities, creativity, and imagination.
Safety Considerations
When designing an outdoor playground, safety considerations should be a top priority. Playground injuries are common and serious, so following safety standards and regulations is essential. Here are some important safety considerations to keep in mind:
Age-Appropriate Equipment:
The equipment should be age-appropriate for the intended users. Equipment designed for older children may be too challenging or dangerous for younger children, while equipment designed for younger children may not provide enough of a challenge for older children.
Impact-Absorbing Surfaces:
The surface beneath the playground equipment should be impact-absorbing, such as rubber mulch, wood chips, or sand. Impact-absorbing surfaces can help reduce the risk of injury in case of a fall.
Proper Spacing:
The equipment should be properly spaced to prevent collisions between children. There should be enough space between equipment and between the equipment and any structures or obstacles.
Compliance with Safety Standards:
The playground should comply with safety standards and regulations set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and other organizations. Compliance with these standards ensures the equipment is safe and meets minimum safety requirements.
Regular Maintenance and Inspections:
Regular equipment maintenance and inspections are crucial to ensure its safety and longevity. Any damaged or worn-out equipment should be repaired or replaced immediately.
Conclusion:
Outdoor play and playgrounds are essential for children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Research has shown that children who engage in outdoor play have improved physical health, mental well-being, and academic performance. Therefore, parents, caregivers, and educators must prioritize outdoor play and provide children with opportunities to explore nature, develop gross motor skills, and engage in social interactions. Additionally, advocating for developing safe and engaging outdoor playgrounds in communities can increase access to these important resources for all children.
Let’s prioritize outdoor playgrounds and provide children with the opportunity to experience the benefits of outdoor play.
Kids’ outdoor playground is one of the first places where a child can easily experience the risk that comes with challenges. Whether climbing, jumping, sliding, or swinging, the adrenaline rush they feel can sometimes overlook safety. If you want an accessible playground for your child let’s connect with us.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission of the U.S. reports that 20,000 out of 200,000 children playing on the playground come in for traumatic brain injury treatment.
Does this mean that the risk element is eliminated from playgrounds? No. Risk assessment is a vital aspect of a child’s healthy development.
Including preschool playground equipment, every activity on the playground introduces their young minds to real-life concepts. These concepts are split into six categories:
- Slides, climbers, and play decks help them explore heights
- Track rides, swings, and spinners enable them to experience and control speed
- Come in contact with minor water bodies or fire
- Wrestling via interactions with other kids
- Self-dependency through wandering on their own
- Handling relatively dangerous tools
Types of accessible playgrounds
Minimizing meaningful elements of risk in children’s playgrounds can hinder their exploration skills and challenges to overcome. While the standard playgrounds do not incorporate dangerous elements, commercial parks do. This difference in perspective leads to two types of playgrounds, Insular and Adventure parks.
Insular playground:
Insular kids’ outdoor playgrounds refer to the insulation of the activity equipment. It implies that every piece of equipment is insulated from risks of fear and injury. Not only does it cut back on the fun, but it also keeps the kids from having a wholesome experience in one of their initial exposures to risks.
Adventure parks:
A popular playground in European countries incorporated risk factors in their parks. While this may be deemed unsafe by North American standards, they instill all six levels of risk in several playground foundations. These adventure parks promote outdoor means of practical knowledge and healthy development.
Coexistence of safety and challenges:
Follow these bullets to ensure your child’s safety on the kids’ outdoor playground:
- Check if the equipment they are using is built for their age and abilities
- Keep an eye out for your younger ones
- Allow them the freedom to use equipment creatively as long as it’s safe
- Keep them well hydrated
- Encourage them to participate, socialize, and be creative instead of competitive.
Let’s Talk About Equipment:
About 79 percent of playground injuries occur from falls. The statistics are too overwhelming to neglect at this point. Various playground equipment manufacturers and companies recognize this concern and strive to build safer yet equally challenging playground equipment for kids.
Rather than being strongly opinionated on either playground, companies combine the two into a game-changing scheme of products.
Wrapping Up!
At All Play, we have mastered creating safe spaces for kids to play, grow, and learn. Our team of specialized builders create accessible playground and offers turn-key installations for kids’ outdoor playgrounds and play spaces in Texas, commercial playground equipment in Houston, and much more.
The advantages of play are significant to all children of any developmental phase or ability tier. The correct layout, secure surfaces, wide paths, and accessible playgroundequipment are all included in inclusive playgrounds so that children with mobility issues can enjoy the area and engage with other children.
Accessible Equipment to Include in Your Playground
You can effortlessly create any playground more convenient and inclusive. It may be an issue of putting in a few unique pieces of equipment to make a playground for everyone. We’ll demonstrate to you inclusive and ADA-compliant playground equipment to exemplify it is all within your reach.
Ramps
Ramps allow all kids to acquire elevated play components and appreciate the view up high. They should also furnish an area to turn around in a wheelchair. Handrails on both sides of ramps entitle kids to yank themselves along effortlessly. Ramps are perfect for kids who can or do not want to use transfer systems because :
- There are frequent platforms for resting in ramps for the kids to use.
- Landings are as wide as a ramp so that kids can rest.
Inclusive Slides
Slides add plenty of enjoyment to a playground and stimulate the growth of social aptitudes and coordination. Multiple modalities, including vestibular, tactile, and proprioception, are integrated during sliding. Kids can glide back and onward on all sides of their bodies while rumbling horizontally, facilitating their proprioceptive and tactile systems, applying deep pressure, and experimenting with their upper body stability. All kids should be competent to relish the freeing sensation of riding a slide at the playground. An accessible playground slide drives it easy for children of all abilities to reach the top of the slide.
Ground-Level Play Activities
Children interact and play regardless of developmental or ability levels when equipment is in the same play area.
Sensory Activities
Sensory activities not only help meet the needs of children with ASD but are also enjoyable for all kids and often easy to add to any playground. You might install musical equipment so kids can explore different sounds and jam out to their unique tunes.
Inclusive Swings
There is nothing more freeing than soaring through the air on a swing, and you can make it probable for all playground users. Swinging helps children with autism because they process the sensory information with repetitious and soothing actions. Body awareness, motion, presence, sound, and the earth’s gravitational pull are all sensory movements. The sensory activities that kids experience while swinging allow them to process possible therapeutic strategies.
Bottom Line
At All Play, we develop accessible playground equipment, wheelchair- and handicap-accessible, and meet ADA norms. We acknowledge “play richness,” which implies that our playground equipment is planned to benefit adolescents and adults with unique needs and formulate their motor skills, physical strength, social skills, and more. We pursue a precise design guide developed by playground and child growth experts to help us determine the right planning, layouts, and equipment to accomplish it.
We have a combination of special requirements for play gear for all ages, and we make certain our accessible playgrounds have features that are immersing and convenient for all proficiency.
Not all playgrounds are made equal when offering play possibilities for children of various physical and mental abilities. All guests may enjoy playing on a playground that is easily accessible. Universal Design, often called Design-for-All, is a crucial idea that must be maintained at the forefront of the decision-making process when creating an accessible playground. Nearly one in five people in the US have a disability, and 13% of public school students (or roughly 6.7 million kids) receive special services for ailments ranging from autism to hearing loss.
What is a playground that is accessible?
The use of playground equipment by children with and without disabilities is guaranteed by an accessible playground that complies with ADA rules. Additionally, it welcomes parents, carers, or disabled older siblings into the play area to watch the kids or join in on the fun.
Most new playgrounds must adhere to the accessibility criteria outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They also demand compliance from renovated playgrounds already in place. A few playground ADA compliance requirements are:
- A playground must have open and unimpeded entry points to the playground and the connected play structures.
- Elevated play areas on the playground must have a minimum of 50% accessible routes.
- Specific safety surfaces that comply with ADA standards must be used on playgrounds.
What should an accessible playground comprise?
Accessible entrance points, seating, and play tables are needed. Play tables may be constructed on the ground or at a high elevation and were designed with play in mind.
Surface Routes
How visitors will move about the playground is one of the most crucial factors to consider when creating an accessible place. Elevated and ground routes make up the two primary categories of accessible travel. Accessible ground routes are routes created to allow people with impairments, such as those using wheelchairs or other mobility aids, access. These paths link every entrance and departure point for the playground’s accessible play equipment.
Transfer Methods
Children may raise themselves onto elevated play structures using transfer systems, leaving their mobility aid on the ground. For parking a mobility device on transfer platforms, there must be free floor or ground space. Support is also necessary at each level where transferring is the way of access since they help with general movement. Handrails and hand grips are two examples of support in an playground.
Musical Playground
Innovative musical aspects may improve inclusion in any setting. Since music is seen as a unifying language, it is not surprising that musical exploration-promoting instruments would find a place in inclusive parks and playgrounds. Your playground will become a popular destination for affordable family entertainment by offering a place where kids and adults can enjoy making noises together.
Bottom line
All Play’s playground equipment is of the finest quality, durability, and safety for kids of all abilities to enjoy it. We take pride in coming up with solutions and ensuring every child has a fair chance to grow and reach their full potential in an accessible playground. While providing everyone with unique, exhilarating, and unforgettable play experiences, we design and build our equipment to meet or exceed safety regulations.
Accessible Playground and Inclusive Playground:
While the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) has been the law of the land since 1990, facilities managers of parks, churches, neighborhoods, and other properties are still figuring out how their playgrounds can best comply. They also realize that, regulations aside, offering a fun, engaging experience for kids of all abilities is just the right thing to do. Accessible Playground and Inclusive Playground are good for the families they serve, good for the community as a whole, and ultimately good for business.
As you explore different resources to learn more about accommodating kids with disabilities on your kids outdoor playground, you’ve probably come across the words “accessible” and “inclusive.” You may have wondered what the difference is between the two terms … or do they mean the same thing?
The answer is the two terms do have different meanings.
Playground equipment is accessible if it is usable by kids of any and all ability levels. Or to phrase it another way, it has no barriers that would prevent kids with disabilities from entering the grounds, accessing different elements, or navigating the landscape. For example, an accessible playground would have no barriers at the entrance or along pathways and would offer ramps leading to elevated areas.
Inclusive and Accessible Playground:
A playground is inclusive if it’s designed to encourage engagement and participation by children with disabilities. It goes beyond simply ensuring access and embodies a commitment to offering a fun day of play for all little ones, regardless of their physical condition. For example, an inclusive playground would offer a mix of activities that ensure kids who can’t slide or climb still have fun activities available to them. It also encourages social engagement among all visitors instead of isolating “special” elements in one area.
So if you’re looking at building a new accessible playground or replacing an old one, whether you opt for “accessible” or “inclusive” depends on the needs of your community, the space available, and of course, your budget. If your primary concern is complying with the ADA, taking steps to make your play space accessible will likely help you steer clear of problems. Inclusivity involves going one step further and requires a greater commitment of resources. If an inclusive playground is your goal, you may need to do some convincing to get the necessary funds allocated to your cause.
Of course, every facility’s needs and situation is different, and we’re always happy to help in Accessible Playgrounds. If you need some advice on accessibility and/or inclusivity features for your playground, just give us a call at (713) 939-9888.
