Playground areas for every child
At Guide Dogs, we've identified some general design considerations for a safe, accessible and exciting environment.
Whatever your design choices, all playground areas require:
- Logical organisation to help create mental images with internal and external links
- Consistent plan
- Use of colours, textures, sound devices and smell
- Distinct boundaries to separate active and quiet areas, such as hedges, fences or logs
- Circulation paths around the perimeter of the playground that access equipment
- Recess furniture with good colour contrast
- Tables and benches in the shade
- Toilets that are nearby and accessible by paths from the play area
- Ropes and rails on steps and slopes
- Hilly terrain which encourages climbing
- A nature path which leads to interesting natural elements
- Use of natural materials such as sand, wood, leaves, grass and foam pits
It's often useful to divide the playground into three areas:
- Quiet, sensory, construction play
- Active play equipment
- Open areas with soft surfaces
Children enjoy playground elements that stimulate their physical senses:
- Vision: Use colour contrast and lighting (eg. plexigrass, artificial grass or painted wood in bright colours)
- Hearing: Use loose material, barrel drums, flowing water or fixed moving parts
- Touch: Use different textures and manipulative objects
- Smell: Use plants with fragrances (eg. herbs)