Boundless Playgrounds in Southeast Michigan
Safety, Accessibility, and Sensory Elements
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.25.1.0132Keywords:
boundless playgrounds, playgrounds, children, sensory disabilities, physical disabilities, child development, low-income neighborhood, MichiganAbstract
Public boundless playgrounds are designed to benefit children living with and without disabilities.The objectives of this study were toexaminethe safety and accessibility as well as presence of sensory elements among ten boundless playgrounds in poor and affluent neighborhoods in Southeast Michigan. Most boundless playgrounds studied were safe and accessible for children of various abilities. However, some playgrounds in poor areas were unsafe and inaccessible due to the presence of debris, uneven mulch, broken glass, and missing equipment. All playgrounds that were studied accommodated children with wheelchairs more so than those with sensory disabilities: while most playgrounds had musical and noise-making elements, only half of the playgrounds had sensory-rich gardens, and only one had a Braille play element. Sensory elements were less common in lower-income compared to affluent areas. Recommendations for improving boundless playgrounds are to: increase maintenance, regular care, and cleanup; add wheelchair-accessible restrooms and drinking fountains; and add sensory elements such as Braille signs and sensory-rich gardens.