Thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces create opportunities for people of different ages, abilities and preferences to move, explore, play and connect. Universal design is at the heart of that approach, creating environments where people can participate in ways that feel comfortable and meaningful to them. Accessibility provides a way into the space, but true inclusion considers what happens when people arrive there: the choices and experiences they have, and whether they feel a sense of belonging. These five considerations can help guide the design of outdoor spaces where more people can participate, connect and enjoy time together.
1. Create More Ways to Play
Different people have different needs, and everyone thrives on a mix of play activities. Offering opportunities in different categories — sensory, spinning, swinging, climbing, imaginative and sliding — meets a wider range of preferences and fosters more development for kids.
Play variety gives children choice in how they participate. A child may seek the energy of movement or prefer a quieter place to observe. Experiences such as Serenity Spot®, Vero® and MOVMNT® Centro offer different ways to move, explore and engage, from individual experiences to interactive play with others. Together, these choices help create a space where children can participate in ways that feel right for them.
2. Design for Different Ages and Stages
As kids grow, the way they play grows with them. New challenges build confidence; developing skills opens new possibilities, and experiences that once felt difficult can become ones they return to again and again.
Age-appropriate play matters because children's abilities, interests and comfort will likely change over time. Thoughtful design considers these differences and factors in safety standards and developmental needs, creating engaging experiences that hold their replay value as children advance their skills.
At the same time, public outdoor spaces, like parks and recreation spaces, extend beyond kids-only activities. Great recreation spaces invite the whole community in, creating opportunities for adolescents and adults to engage with experiences that are fun for them. Games like Gaga Ball and fitness options like ELEVATE® Fitness Course encourage active play and exercise across multiple age groups. Gathering areas, music play, open spaces and more can bring more people in and create a true community space.
3. Build Opportunity Into Each Play Type
Access to public recreation spaces is a civil right, but getting in doesn't complete the journey. These areas should offer play and recreation opportunities that are comfortable, developmentally rich and full of fun for a variety of ages and abilities. Play equity means children can share the same kind of experience, whatever their ability, preference, background or play style.
Swinging is a great example. An Evolution® Arch Swing holds traditional belt seats, the Freedom Swing Seat for riders who benefit from more support and the Konnection® Swing for two, with no special layout required. The Brava® Universal Swing goes further still, bringing independent swinging to more children by offering a new way to swing using the core and upper body. One play type, several ways to play.
4. Barrier-Free Playground Design
Getting onto the playground is only the beginning. Barrier-free design considers the entire play journey, helping children move through the space, reach meaningful play experiences and stay connected to the people they came to play with. Ramps, accessible pathways, smooth transitions and intelligently placed play events can help children, families and other visitors move throughout the space and be part of the entire experience. When these features are integrated into the overall design, children can navigate the space with as much independence as possible, while parents, caregivers and siblings can move with them or create their own experience.
A ramped route to an elevated play structure, for example, gives a child access to slides and other activities that might otherwise be unavailable. A 360 Loop® combines reverse transfer climbing and a slide with extra runout, creating an opportunity for a child to transfer, climb and slide with greater independence.
Connected pathways can link different areas of the playground, making it easier for families to move from one experience to another and for children to play alongside their peers. These connections can also support longer, more comfortable visits by making it easier for everyone to navigate the space together.
5. Focus on the “Can”
Shifting the focus to what people can do, rather than what they cannot, changes both product and space design. Focusing on what people cannot do creates design barriers, while focusing on what they can do opens opportunities for universal play. For example, instead of seeing a child in a wheelchair as unable to climb a traditional climber, an ability-centric mindset sees that they can upper-body rock, spin or navigate their mobility device up a ramp to be part of the elevated experience. Similarly, rather than assuming a child who benefits from lower-sensory environments will not enjoy a playspace, thoughtful design creates quiet, sensory-neutral areas so they can self-regulate and stay engaged. These are just two examples of how focusing on the "can" changes the conversation.
Universal design runs through all five of these considerations. It shows up in how many ways there are to play, in who a space is planned for and in how people move between experiences once they arrive. Considered together from the start, these choices create outdoor spaces where more people can take part.
Learn more about planning your dream playspace and inclusive playgrounds with Burke or contact your local Burke representative to get started today.