TOO L K I T
Table of Contents
Planning an accessible playspace....................................
Examples of good accessible design................................
Project planning tips..........................................................
Consulting with playspace users.......................................
Consulting with a playspace designer...............................
Designing a playspace for children 0-6.............................
Communicating with equipment suppliers.........................
Example of construction costs...........................................
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Let’s Play links directly with the Rick Hansen Foundation’s
Schools In Motion and Wheels In Motion programs to
make a difference in communities throughout British
Columbia. The Rick Hansen Schools In Motion program
was developed to celebrate the spirit of the Rick Hansen
Man In Motion World Tour and provide students with the
understanding that they can play a role in improving access
and inclusion in the world around them.
Let’s Play is dedicated to
ensuring that young children
with physical disabilities have
the same opportunities for
play as their peers. A joint
initiative of the Rick Hansen
Foundation and the Province
of British Columbia, Let’s Play
offers grants for the creation
of accessible public play
spaces and builds awareness
about accessible play
and related best practices.
To learn more about the Schools In Motion program, visit
www.rickhansen.com/schools.
Let’s Play was made possible with the support of
the Province of British Columbia and its $2.5 million
investment. Accessible play spaces complement ActNow
BC, the Province’s health and wellness initiative that
promotes healthy living choices to improve the quality
of life for all British Columbians. ActNow BC aims to
encourage all BC kids to increase their physical activity
levels. ActNow BC: every move is a good move.
For more information on ActNow BC, visit
www.actnowbc.ca.
Planning an Accessible Play Space
Accessible play spaces welcome children and caregivers with disabilities in, rather than
leaving them on the sidelines. They provide a variety of play opportunities for children of
all abilities and emphasize shared play.
When planning an accessible play space, consider both natural and manufactured
play elements. Develop a space that engages children with their natural surroundings.
Creative features that stimulate the senses, such as water and sand play areas, scent
gardens, wind chimes and winding pathways, are particularly effective at fostering
inclusive play. They are also very inviting to younger children, who play and learn with
all ve senses.
Other things to consider as you develop your plan:
Moving Around
It’s important to think about how people move into, out of and through the space and
how it can be made accessible to children and caregivers with physical disabilities.
Pathways between playground equipment and seating areas should be wide
enough for a wheelchair or scooter (at least 1.5 m) and surfaced in an accessible
material. They should be as level as possible, with slopes of no more than ve percent.
Surfacing under play equipment must meet CSA Accessibility Guidelines. Sidewalks
leading into the play space must have curb cuts (dropped curbs) from the road.
Play Features
Focus on accessible play features that invite children to play together in a variety of
ways and that give children with disabilities access to the high-interest areas where
children gather. Look for features that provide imaginative and open-ended play
opportunities.
Using grade change instead of ramps
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Accessible play surface, places to explore
Accessible play equipment
Accessible water feature
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Texture and details
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Accessible slides
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Sound feature
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Accessible amenities
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Accessible surface for integrated sand play
Easy site circulation
Easy access to play equipment
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Interplay Design
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Interesting and accessible circulation
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Examples of Good Accessible Design
Accessible ground/social play equipment
Project Planning Tips
You don’t need to be an expert to lead an accessible play space project, but good planning is
essential. Use the project checklist on this page to help keep things on track.
Project Planning Checklist
Getting Started
• Determine the speci c needs of your site
• Consult with stakeholders, including families of children with disabilities, disability
resource groups, and groups that will be using the play space
• Develop ways to communicate with and involve the community
• Inform yourself about the need for permits for construction/renovation, school board
policies and standards
• Research additional funding opportunities in cooperation with school and/or community
partners
Playground Design
• Develop playspace design with community input
• Consider consultation with a design professional to ensure the development of a
unique and accessible playspace
• Research playground supply and design professionals by gathering and
reviewing catalogues, websites, etc.
• Create a preliminary labour and materials budget (e.g. surfacing, borders, etc.)
Playground Equipment
• Ensure equipment meets CSA Standards and Annex H
• Verify that equipment includes a satisfactory warranty for quality and durability of
each type of material and for parts, service, and other maintenance
Surfacing Materials
• Ensure that play surfacing meets CSA standards for equipment and layout
• Check that surfacing satis es this project’s speci c needs for accessibility, safety,
cost and maintenance
Site Design Considerations:
• Parking area nearby (if applicable) that includes designated parking spaces for people
with disabilities
• Pathways and alternate routes that connect the play area to the surrounding area
should be made accessible if not already
Ongoing Considerations
• Ensure that an adequate schedule for inspections and maintenance be developed
Consulting with Play Space Users
Consultation is key to ensure your play space is well used and enjoyed. Consult with
disability organizations, and children and caregivers with disabilities in your community as
you develop your plan.
Organizing a Workshop to Consult with Play Space Users
Holding a hands-on workshop with children and caregivers who will be using your play space
is a great way to gather creative ideas and design a space that is responsive to the needs
and interests of its users.
Here are some ideas on holding a workshop with play space users including children and
caregivers:
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Gather images of playspaces to spark discussion and interest.
If the group is large, break into smaller groups.
Encourage the children and adults to design a model play space with materials you
provide such as playdough, modelling clay, paper, markers, and pens.
Ask each group to present their designs to the larger group.
Give the workshop participants an opportunity to vote on their favourite design
elements.
The creative and innovative elements designed by the children often inspire groups to
create a unique play space that goes beyond standard models.
Here are some examples from a children’s workshop
(All images from Space2Place Garden City Park Consultation Processs, City of Richmond)
Consulting with a Play Space Designer
Involving a designer with a background in landscape architecture/playground design in
the design stage of your project can have a major impact on the quality and accessibility
of the play space. The cost doesn’t have to be prohibitive as you’ll read below.
What services can a designer provide to my playspace?
A designer can:
• contribute creative ideas
• pull together design ideas as well as identify site issues and challenges
• lead a visioning process with community members and playspace users
• determine feasibility of the nal vision
• lead the process of choosing appropriate equipment and site features and work
with a play equipment supplier to con gure equipment
• prepare a budget and outline construction requirements
• coordinate construction and trades people
• coordinate volunteer labour
How much will this cost?
City of
Seattle
Cost will vary depending on the extent of involvement of the designer and his or her
level of experience. A quick consultation for help with a site plan may only cost a few
hundred dollars of the designer’s time, but may help you to develop a really unique
playspace within a modest budget.
Infants 4-12 months: Babies in this age range are gaining greater
ability to use their bodies and manipulate the environment
• provide materials and textures for the infant to feel and manipulate
• include places to bounce, observe, and shady places to lie under
• provide auditory environments with sounds for infants to locate
• create areas for hide and seek for infants developing awareness of
object permanence
Infants 8-12 months: At this age, babies are getting ready for walking/
talking. They are more social and like to manipulate objects.
• create areas close to caregiver for learning to sit, crawl, stand and
explore
• provide materials to ll up and empty
• create areas for hide and seek
Toddlers 12-24 months: Children at this stage are full of energy,
enthusiasm and curiosity. They need to be able to move about on their
own and explore and test their surroundings.
• provide paths for children to stop frequently to look at rocks, plants
or insects
• include areas for water play
• create low places for climbing over, under and on top
2 Years Old
• provide areas to explore and discover
• provide manipulative materials, paths for riding toys as well as
balancing activities
Pre-schooler (3-5 Years)
• provide objects to collect, rocks, leaves and seed pods
• design areas to move through and explore
• provide water play
• highlight changing seasons, with plant material and other features
• include features for developing motor skills, places to climb and
balance
• places for make believe play, places for groups, social places
Primary school (6 Years Old)
• include places for co-operative play, working toward speci c goals
• create places for physical play, running, moving, climbing and
throwing
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When creating a play environment for children, it’s important to
consider the age range of children who will be using the site and
design it around their physical, psychological and learning needs.
As the focus of Let’s Play is on children ages 0-6, the following list
may help you think about how your play space will meet the needs of
children in this age range.
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Designing a Play Space for Children ages 0-6
Communicating with Equipment Suppliers
What direction should I give a playground supplier when selecting equipment
for the play space?
• Provide age range and number of children using site
• Describe your vision for the proposed play space. Discuss the elements you envision such as social
and gathering spaces, a focus on creative play, a variety of play choices, and an inclusive
environment that fosters shared play.
• Describe the site context -what is around the play area and how it will be used. Provide a site plan if
possible.
• Provide your budget for equipment, keeping in mind costs for landscaping and natural features.
• Emphasize need to follow CSA/Annex H accessibility standards.
• Emphasize the equipment should t into the site plan, not vice versa.
What questions should I ask a playground equipment supplier once I receive a
proposed design?
• How does the play equipment area relate to the overall site?
• How does the equipment accommodate various interests and abilities?
• How does the play equipment foster inclusive play and allow for children with disabilities to be part
of the action?
• What age group is this equipment suitable for?
• Does this equipment comply with CSA/Annex H standards and guidelines?
• How is this space unique? How is this fun?
• How is this accessible to parents/caregivers with disabilities?
Example of a drawing from an equipment supplier showing proposed play equipment.
Examples of Play Space Construction Costs
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Below, you will nd examples of potential costs you may incur in developing your play space.
These gures are based on average 2007/2008 construction costs in the Lower Mainland
and are provided for informational purposes only. It is important to note that costs will vary
depending on contractor, location and project scope.
Site excavation costs
-costs should include labour (eg. up to $30/hour)
-Bobcat, dump truck ($60-$80/hour)
-compactor/roller (up to $100/day)
-costs should include all site grading work/demolition
Pathway preparation costs
-costs should include labour (eg. up to $30/hour)
-Bobcat ($60-80/hour)
-factor in cost for base material
-compactor/roller (up to $100/day)
Playground base preparation costs
-filter fabric ($4.00/30 sq ft)
-labour (up to $30/hour)
Site Drainage
-drainage (up to $30/foot)
-labour (up to $30/hour)
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Borders
-cedar border (6”X6”) recycled ($2.75/ft)
-cedar border (6”X6”) building quality ($7.05/ft)
-Landscape ties 3.5” X 8’ fir ($5.00 ea)
-add labour cost
-ensure borders provide wheelchair access
Borders (con’t)
-concrete curb ($10/foot-includes labour)
-stone border (depends on boulder size)
-add labour and machine cost for boulders
-ensure borders allow for wheelchair access
Equipment installation
Sufrace Play
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Sof’ Bounce
-cost is usually around 25% of equipment cost
-cost may be covered by school districts
Accessible safety surfacing
-wood fibre approx $1.25/sq ft
-rubber tiles up to $10/sq ft
-poured rubber surfacing (over $14/sq ft)
-engineered loose rubber fill (tbd)
-engineered carpet surface (tbd)
-labour may be an additional cost
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Paths
Compacted gravel
-ensure that surface is firm and stable
-include cost of machines/labour
-gravel up to $22/ton
-1 ton covers approximately 100 sq ft
Pavers
-concrete pavers $/sq foot
-include cost of labour (up to $30/hour)
Concrete
-concrete walkway (up to $140 per 100 sq ft)
-ensure non-slip finish
Asphalt
-asphalt surface ($90/per ton)
-one ton may cover 100 sq ft
-installation costs (up to $200/hour)
Rubber/alternative surfacing
-depends on surface type
Safety fencing
Friends of Sligo Creek
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-approximately $10/ft for 4’ fence (split rail)
-approximately $25/ft for 4’ chain link fence
Site furnishings
-benches can range from $600-$1200
-picnic tables also greatly range in price depending on
materials and durability
Landscape boulders/features
-boulders may require machine for placement
-cost depends on size of boulders
Trees
-costs vary depending on size of tree
-average cost is about $150/tree
-installation may cost up to $150/tree
if machines are required
Shrubs and groundcover
-prices vary according to size and species of plan
-prices should include topsoil if required ($20/ton)