The best playgrounds are built with movement in mind — not just in how kids play, but in how spaces grow over time.
The community you serve today may look different than it did five years ago — and the tools available to you have evolved, too. Universal playground design isn't limited to new projects. It works just as effectively in existing spaces.
Whether you're navigating smaller spaces, adding elements over multiple phases, responding to changing community needs or discovering products that didn't exist when your site was first built, inclusion is something you can build toward from where you are.
Across the country, communities are doing exactly that. Here's how.
Start Where You Are
Not every site has room for an entire play structure. Maybe it's a pocket park, a school courtyard, multifamily housing, a church property or an early childhood center looking to expand outdoor learning. A smaller footprint can still deliver real play value.
Inclusion begins with access at the ground level. ADA-compliant surfacing makes playgrounds more accessible by creating smoother, more reliable paths for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers to move within the space.
Ground-level freestanding elements, like the Volta® Inclusive Spinner or MOVMNT® Inclusive electronic game system, pack developmental and social benefits into compact spaces — and they're designed so children of all abilities can play together. A single well-chosen addition can turn available space into a gathering point.
Building Over Time
Maybe the complete vision exists, but it needs to unfold in stages. Communities that plan for phased growth position themselves for long-term success. One year may focus on the main structure. The next can be where inclusion expands even more.
Inclusive play depends on more than equipment alone. ADA-compliant surfacing is essential to ensuring everyone can access and independently move through a play environment. When surfacing is part of the plan, freestanding additions like the Brava® Universal Swing, Vero™ or Avec™ Glider can integrate seamlessly, complementing what is already in place without significant disruption. These elements work with existing equipment to signal a commitment to inclusive design.
In spaces where surfacing changes are not feasible, inclusion can still grow. Perimeter solutions like PlayEnsemble® outdoor musical instruments or MOVMNT Centro introduce accessible, engaging play without the need for additional surfacing. Placed along pathways or edges, they extend play opportunities and invite participation from a broader range of users.
Each addition builds on what is already there, reinforcing a clear message: this community is paying attention, planning with intention and creating a playspace that continues to evolve for everyone.
When Communities Adapt
Neighborhoods change over time. New families arrive, schools evolve and our understanding of sensory needs, mobility differences and inclusive design grows. With that knowledge, we can create playspaces that reflect the community they serve today.
Freestanding elements make it possible to fill gaps and expand access without redoing the entire space. Sensory panels engage the senses at ground level, supporting early childhood development and visitors with sensory sensitivities. The Serenity Spot® offers a quiet retreat for children who need a moment to recharge. Inclusive design also depends on thoughtful surfacing — ADA-compliant materials ensure everyone can move freely and participate. Inclusion extends beyond play equipment too — accessible site furnishings like Novo® Playful Furniture provide caregivers and visitors of all ages a place to pause, connect and play together. By combining thoughtful surfacing, site furnishings and freestanding elements, communities can introduce meaningful play innovation while building spaces that grow and evolve with the people who use them.
Discovering What's New
Sometimes the reason you didn't include something is simple: It didn't exist yet. Play innovation doesn't stop at installation — and neither should your playspace.
Recent additions to the Burke offering are shaped by listening, learning and growing alongside the communities we serve. The Nido® Spinner offers a calming, podlike experience designed with sensory sensitivities in mind. The Niche Capsule™ blends gentle motion with a sheltered space for rest and reset. These are responses to what communities have been asking for.
A Playspace That Grows With You
A playground built to last should also be built to change. Play for all ages and abilities is an ongoing commitment — and the kids, families and community members who visit your playspace will change over time. The space itself can change with them.
Ready to explore what's possible? Connect with your local Burke representative to talk through your site, your goals and the options that fit.