Kids with disabilities have special needs when it comes to playgrounds. But it isn’t the same for all. Kids on wheelchairs can’t ride on wood chips or sand, so flooring has to be rubber or something else solid enough for wheels to ride on. Often these kids can play without their wheelchairs, crawling on the floor and experiencing toys. Kids with hearing or vision problems will enjoy the playground if they can play on toys along with other children. Even better if a playground has toys that make different sounds and are bright in colours.

To ensure playground is set for kids of all abilities, this is what we’re looking for on a playground

Solid flooring, preferably rubber, so it’s soft enough if a child falls down

Access to toys, meaning low platform, which makes wheelchairs approachable to toys and kids can climb out of them and on to a toy (for example slide). There should be handrails for grabbing onto the toy. And of course a solid flooring on the other side, so kids can be picked up in their wheelchairs, not having to crawl through the sand or wood chips

Ramps

Swings with back support or net swings

Sensory toys that produce sounds or even music

Fence around the playground, to ensure safety against the street

Children with hearing problems can play on most of the toys. Toys for ones with vision problems are harder to find. For kids on wheelchairs it depends whether they can play outside their wheelchair. If they can, then there are many playgrounds to play on. If not, we’re looking for playgrounds with at least a Liberty swing, which is specially designed for wheelchairs.

So with a focus on this kind of toys, here is a list of a couple of playgrounds to make your choice easier.

Bronte Road

This playground is set in well equipped Bronte Park on Bronte Rd, right near Bronte Beach. It is suitable for toddlers and for all abilities as there is a wheelchair accessible swing. There are some sails for shade and trees, too. The play equipment includes sandpit, swings, bucket seat swings, climbing rig with slide, spring riders, spinning rope pyramid, forts, slides, climbing frames and more entertaining elements. There is also a great little mini-train that runs around a fixed track on the lawn at Bronte Beach. The kids can ride bikes and rollers on a track and have grassy areas which is good for some ball games. There are seats and shade, sheltered picnic tables, BBQs, toilets, car parking, kiosk and wheels friendly cafes nearby. Nothing is missing for a great outdoor weekend with the family and friends!

Rouse Hill Town Centre

Rouse Hill Town Centre has a special playground for children called The Backyard. It’s an outdoor play area with sensory toys for children of all abilities, intended for the once under the age of eight. It is located near BB’s Cafe where parents can enjoy their coffee while children play. There are plenty of stores inside the centre. Toilets are available.

Mungerie Playground

Mungerie Playground is located on Bellcast Rd, near the new Rouse Hill town centre. This new playground is in the historic precinct surrounding the Mungerie House. The playground was designed for all age groups and all abilities. The playground caters for imaginative open-ended role playing, and water play, as well as providing some more traditional play equipment. A whimsical reptilian “life form” weaves the space together and provides a colourful focus to the playground. Custom designed kinetic sound sculptures also offer hidden surprises for those wishing to explore. Talk tubes and crazy mirrors complete the fun for the younger ages. Parents are afforded comfortable seating overlooking the playground from vine covered pergolas subtly separating the public walkway and the playground. Also, there are tennis and sports courts, swimming pool and bike/walk paths for more activities. A Really cool place, sure, kids will adore!

Lake Parramatta Reserve

This playground is for kids of all abilities. There are several swings, slides, different toys for playing games. You can have a lovely stroll through the park and watch the beautiful views of the water. There are sheltered picnic tables so you can bring your lunch or have one or just a cup of coffee at the Cafe

Holroyd Gardens Park

Holroyd Gardens Park is a great playground for kids of all ages. It has been recently renewed and is a great place for family picnics. Playground is separated in three areas. One is road safety training track for smaller kids with bikes or on wheelchairs, where they can learn how to behave on the road. The other one is for them to play. With colourful floors and many toys for climbing and swinging and some sensorz toys, it offers a lot of entertainment for under fives. The third playground is for a bit older kids and needs supervision. It’s a huge playground with a ramp to many forts and long slides. Skywalk rope tunnel bridge and 6m wildnet skyclimber gives them a lot to play on. If that is not enough, there’s also a large open area for ball games and running around. A short walk away are three sheltered areas with picnic tables three covered electric BBQs. Toilets are by the big parking lot (plenty of space for cars including 4 for disabled). Playground is not fenced but it’s far enough from the road.

Livvi’s Place, Yamble Reserve

Yamble Reserve is a beautiful park with a wonderful new indoor playground equipment (http://sonlalonde1228669.wapsite.me/index/__xtblog_entry/13974872-six-tips-for-indoor-playground?__xtblog_block_id=1) – Livvi’s Place. There’s plenty to do for everyone. You can have a stroll around the park. Or let kids imagination fly at the maze path with sensory art and plantings. There is a double flying fox, swings (check out the hammock one), satellite dish spinner, a huge pyramid for kids to climb on. Then tunnels, slides, climbing nets, sand pit and much, much more. Reserve your whole day and have a lunch at the sheltered BBQs and picnic tables. It’s an all abilities playground, with toilets and drinking fountain. A large parking lot is straight off Quarry Road. The smaller one located off Clermont Avenue is closed on weekends.

Bicentennial Park – Sydney Olympic Park

For children of all ages and all abilities come to this park and have fun whole day long. There’s sandpit, playhouse and spring rider for the little ones. Than swings, slide, sliding pole and climbing wall for a bit older ones. And a big climbing tower for those who haven’t had enough so far. If this is still not enough, check out what activities the near by cafe has to offer. There’s food and coffee in the cafe or make your own lunch on the sheltered BBQs beside the playground. There are a couple of sheltered picnic tables there and sheltered benches on the other side of the playground. Kids can ride their bikes or just run around on the green. Parking spaces are plentyful.

To see some images and more facts about these playgrounds go to Playfulpossum.com and check them out. Have fun!