Ibach Park – Tualatin, OR

Play structure in shape of a giant mastadon rib cage.

Playtime contributes greatly to a child’s physical, mental, emotional and social growth.  Until recent years children with disabilities have missed out on  this very important aspect of development due to inaccessable parks and playgrounds.  Since guidelines for bringing playgrounds into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) were issued in the year 2000, playgrounds have become more than swings and slides.  Newly built and altered playgrounds are now accessible to children with disabilities.  Playground features are designed to promote imaginative, inclusive and interactive play.

An excellent example can be found at Ibach Park in Tualatin, Oregon.  The park includes accessible paths, baseball diamond, tennis courts and a play area that highlights Tualatin’s rich historical past.  The prehistoric area features a giant mastadon rib cage where children dig in sand to unearth archeological finds.  This area is accessible from a transfer platform to allow the disabled child to play in the sand pit.  From the opposite side a child can access from level ground covered with a wheelchair accessible synthetic safety surface.  Children can also play with the water feature that is activated by touch sensor.  Once activated, a slow trickle of water winds downhill encouraging children to build dams and direct water flow.  Children can let imaginations carry them down the Tualatin River in the role of Native Americans as they travel by canoe that can accommodate wheelchair users.

These universally designed playgrounds and parks are being built across the country, allowing children with disabilities to participate in play experiences that are so important to their development.  If you have visited these parks please share them with others.  I welcome you to post your finds on my MAP-ME interactive map.